COMPLIANCE
ASSISTANCE SUMMARIES
AND POINTS OF CONTACT
Cabinet Agencies
Agriculture
Commerce
Defense
Education
Energy
Health & Human Services
Homeland Security
Housing And Urban Development
Interior
Justice
Labor
State
Transportation
Treasury
Veterans Affairs
AGRICULTURE
Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)
FSIS offers compliance assistance to small meat, poultry, and egg product
plants. The FSIS publishes supporting documentation and guidance materials
for federally inspected establishments to use in designing and implementing
sanitation standard operating procedures and hazard analysis and critical
control point (HACCP) food safety systems. FSIS provides technical guidance
on many subjects of regulation, including requirements for plant sanitation,
the use of food ingredients and food irradiation sources, and the control
of pathogens. Also, to help meet the challenges our Nation has faced since
September 11, 2001, FSIS has published security guidelines for food producing
establishments. Many FSIS publications are available in languages besides
English. Web addresses for these publications are:
Besides its publications, FSIS offers a telephone service,
FSIS HACCP Hotline (1-800-233-3935) to help establishments solve problems
arising from HACCP plan development and implementation. Assistance on
general matters involving meat, poultry, and egg products is available
from the FSIS Technical Service Center (402-221-7400; Fax: 402-221-7438;
e-mail Tech.Center@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS also operates an extensive small establishment outreach
program, featuring FSIS-sponsored workshops and programs, educational
material development and distribution, HACCP and food-safety training
and training sessions for FSIS consumer safety officers. (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/small_very_small_plant_outreach/index.asp)
FSIS consumer safety officers are a highly qualified corps of individuals
with the special mission of helping small establishments resolve problems
arising in their implementation of HACCP systems. FSIS operates a special
food safety outreach program for Native American communities; it includes
training for operators of small meat plants.
Through the FSIS network of State cooperators, seminars
and training classes on HACCP and food safety are held around the country
for operators of food producing establishments. The Outreach Program also
distributes multi-media training materials in CD-ROM and video as well
as printed formats.
Another useful information source on regulatory compliance
is an e-mail service by the FSIS Washington office and directly accessible
on the FSIS website. This service, FSIS Regulations (Regulations@fsis.usda.gov)
gives information on laws, regulations, and policies governing FSIS inspection
programs and affecting establishments regulated by FSIS.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS)
APHIS has made compliance assistance resources available to small business
entities in several formats. All work extremely well in that APHIS has
not received complaints or negative comments regarding insufficient information
or difficulty gaining access. The listing of resources we submitted included
four web addresses:
-
www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs
- At this site, small entities will find publications and other materials
to help explain APHIS programs such as press releases, frequently asked
question, publications, industry alerts, technical reports and stakeholder
announcements.
-
www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/video
-This web page provides access to videos about several APHIS programs.
With proper equipment, the videos can be viewed from a computer. There
is also contact information to obtain copies.
-
On-Site Evaluations/Assistance
- For on-site assistance, the telephone number for each Regional Office
is listed to request inspections, assistance, etc.
-
www.aphis.usda.gov/ies -
This is the web site of the SBREFA Contact. It contains program information
and contact information. Comments, complaints, and/or suggestions can
be sent by on line mail service to IES@aphis.usda.gov.
-
Toll Free Telephone
- Comments, complaints, and/or suggestions can be made without charge
by calling 1-866-5Call IES.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
(GIPSA)
Publications - Regulation, Rules, Technical and Administrative,
Directives, Annual Reports: The Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration posts current FGIS directives on the GIPSA website
at: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/pubs/pubs.htm
or http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/reference-library/directives.htm.
The publications are in PDF format, so they may be printed directly from
the web.
Seminars, classes - Technical Training (e.g.,
Grain Inspection): GIPSA's Technical Services Division (TSD)
provides extensive training throughout the official inspection system
to ensure uniform, accurate results are provided at all locations. TSD
also offers customized industry education services to facilitate the commercial
marketing of grain. Topics include the visual grading of any grain, rice,
bean, pea, or lentil and objective, non-visual quality tests such as protein,
oil, and mycotoxins. Contact Larry McDonald for more information at: larry.h.mcdonald@usda.gov.
Telephone service - information about GIPSA:
Responding to customers’ needs is GIPSA's main priority. GIPSA designed
its programs to concentrate on customers’ needs. If customers have
comments on GIPSA Customer Service Standards or want information on any
GIPSA programs, contact: USDA, GIPSA, STOP 3601, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, DC 20250-3601 or telephone: (202) 720-0219.
CD ROM's/Videos/E-Learning Courses - Technical
Information (e.g., Procedures for Inspection Grain): GIPSA offers
various educational materials created for the U.S. grain industry. They
include multimedia CD's and several brochures/handouts. Single copies
of CDs are available free by mail and the brochures/handouts are available
in PDF format for online viewing and/or download. All materials are public
domain and may be freely duplicated and distributed in their original
form. Contact Roger Friedrich for more information at: Roger.L.Friedrich@usda.gov
or send a request to: request.gipsa@usda.gov.
Online/e-mail service - Wide range of information
about GIPSA and its programs: Information regarding GIPSA's programs
and services can be found in the GIPSA Strategic Plan and on the Agency's
website at: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa.
Onsite Evaluations/Assistance - Process Verification
Program for Grain Handlers: GIPSA is considering proposing a
new process verification program to meet the market's rapidly evolving
needs. In this program, GIPSA would apply internationally recognized quality
management standards to verify the quality process used rather than testing
actual grain itself. The process verification designation verifies the
process, not the final product. The process verification program would
give industry participants independent verification of their quality processes
and standards, and a way to capture values not easily identified by traditional
inspection and testing. For more information, contact John Sharpe at:
John.R.Sharpe@usda.gov or
telephone: (202) 720-0228.
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
The Food and Nutrition Service administers family feeding programs such
as the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Farmers’ Market
Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Food Stamp Program (FSP). The Agency
administers most of these programs through State agencies and, therefore,
has very little direct interaction with small businesses. However, a few
of our programs (or parts of them) do relate to small business in some
way. This summary pertains only to those parts of FNS.
Small
Business Compliance Assistance for Retailers in the Food Stamp Program
FNS
is continuing to carry out its compliance assistance efforts to retailers
in the Food Stamp Program. Staff have attended conferences, presented
workshops and held face-to-face meetings with retailers to provide technical
assistance and listen to their concerns. With regards to new initiatives,
FNS has created a bi-annual publication (mailer) that is sent to all retailers
that participate in the Program. The mailer provides updates on current
policy and any changes to Program rules and offers tips for retailers
on best practices. Secondly, FNS will begin using a simplified application
for new retailers in Fall 2004. The simplified application is an improvement
over the current application because we have eliminated unnecessary and
duplicative questions, the questions are easier to understand and it takes
less time for a storeowner to complete the form. You can find more information
about our work with retailers and publications we offer on the FNS website
at www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/retailers/.
The Food Stamp regulations that relate to retailers can be found in the
Code of Federal Regulations at 7 CFR Parts 278 and 279 (a link to an electronic
version is also available on the general FSP website referenced above).
Small
Business Compliance Assistance for Farmers’ Markets/Retailers in
the WIC/FNMP Programs
Under
the Child Nutrition Act provisions for the WIC and FMNP Programs, State
agencies are responsible for the authorization, training, monitoring,
and corrective action of small businesses such as retailers, farmers,
and farmers’ markets. FNS has issued regulations establishing guidelines
and parameters for State agency administration of these activities. Although
some uniformity is imposed by these regulations, there are also considerable
areas of State discretion, so that many of the rules will not be the same
from one State to the next. For example, State agencies must accept applications
from retailers for WIC authorization at least once every three years,
but may do so much more frequently, and each State has its own application
form. For another example, States are required to allow only certain types
and amounts of food to be transacted for WIC food instruments, but the
precise brand, package size, and maximum allowed price will vary from
State to State. The FNS web site (http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic)
includes the WIC/FMNP regulations (7 CFR Parts 246 and 248) and also a
list of the WIC and FMNP State agency addresses, telephone numbers, and
web sites.
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has a number of compliance assistance
programs to help small entities to comply with program regulations. They
range from publications to seminars to e-mail assistance to CD-ROMs and
videos. The issues they discuss include information on the Perishable
Agricultural Commodities Act, marketing orders, the National Organic Program,
grading programs, and science & technology programs, among others.
All this assistance and contact information can be accessed by clicking
the appropriate program's link on the AMS website http://www.ams.usda.gov.
Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a financing agency, not a regulating
authority. RUS does not have enforcement policies. Its policy on minimum
compliance requirements as a condition for financing is to work with the
individual applicant/borrower to ensure compliance. RUS does not impose
penalties or engage in enforcement activities. Assistance with its programs
can be obtained at our web site at http://www.usda.gov/rus/.
This site contains information on all of our programs and complete contact
information by subject matter and geographic location. If needed, a RUS
field representative can come to your location to provide assistance.
Department of Agriculture Single Point of Contact:
Jacquelyn Chandler
Office of Budget and Program Analysis
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Rm. 147-E
Washington, DC 20250
Telephone: 202-720-1516
E-mail: jyc@obpa.usda.gov
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COMMERCE
The Department of Commerce understands a vibrant small business sector
is critical to creating new jobs in a dynamic and growing economy, so
it is mindful of its responsibilities under the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA). The Commerce Department provides substantial
regulatory enforcement compliance assistance through a variety of media.
Within the Commerce Department, two agencies regulate
the activities of small businesses. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) regulate small businesses under several natural
resource protection statutes that NOAA enforces, including the Marine
Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Bureau of Industry and Security
(BIS), formerly the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA), regulates small
businesses under the Export Administration Regulations, which set the
criteria for authorizing exports of dual-use items – commercial
items with potential military or weapons proliferation applications.
NOAA has a comprehensive program providing regulatory
compliance guidance and assistance to small entities, which comprise much
of NOAA’s regulated community. It has long been NOAA’s practice
to answer inquiries by small entities, when appropriate, in the interest
of administering statutes and regulations. NOAA answers tens of thousands
of inquiries from small entities annually. Inquiries are received via
telephone, mail and electronic mail; during public hearings, town hall
meetings and workshops held by NOAA throughout the year; and in day-to-day
interactions small entities have with NOAA. NOAA distributes compliance
guides to all those to whom a rule will apply and to others who have expressed
interest. It makes them available at sites where affected parties are
likely to see them. The guides may take different forms to best serve
the needs of the parties affected by a particular rule.
NOAA program offices often prepare “plain English”
summaries of new regulations and distribute them by fax to the regulated
communities and the press. For complex regulations, question/answer sheets
of the most frequently asked questions are often published in the fishery
trade journals that are most often read by the affected fishermen. Information
about NOAA’s regulations and compliance guidance is often posted
on NOAA web pages and on electronic bulletin boards.
Additionally, small entities may contact specific program
offices responsible for the regulations at issue. Program offices hold
informational workshops to explain new regulations and answer questions
from the industry concerning compliance. Fishermen, who make up much of
the regulated community, often speak with NOAA’s individual fishery
plan coordinators for guidance in response to specific factual situations
described by the fishermen. In permitted fisheries, letters explaining
regulatory changes, and providing the name of a person to contact for
additional information and guidance, may be sent to each permit holder.
NMFS also has public affairs positions in its regional offices that specialize
in community outreach.
BIS similarly provides exporters a wide range of compliance
assistance. These include compliance guides in the forms of instructional
brochures, fact sheets and guidance posted on the BIS Web site. BIS also
educates small businesses through seminars, meetings, workshops and, when
requested, one-on-one counseling.
-
BIS Website: http://www.bxa.doc.gov/index.htm
-
BIS Export Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-424-2980
-
Office of Export Enforcement Intelligence: (202) 482-1208
-
Exporter Counseling Division : (202) 482-4811
The Office of Antiboycott Compliance (OAC) within BIS
advises small businesses on compliance with the antiboycott regulations
through its telephone advice line. Callers can seek compliance advice
before engaging in transactions. The OAC also offers counseling to small
businesses to assist them in solving their boycott problems legally. Antiboycott
Advice Line: (202) 482-2381
Patent & Trademark Office
U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Office of Procurement awards
and administers a wide variety of contracts and simplified purchases for
the acquisition of goods and services required throughout the agency.
Our site includes helpful links such as current USPTO contracts, upcoming
opportunities, office staff listing, helpful information for small businesses,
information on our new Performance Based Organization (PBO) procedures
and other related topics.
The USPTO Office of Procurement continually strives to
remain on the leading edge of procurement reform and current technology.
It is our goal to identify and utilize new innovative techniques to develop
a partnership with industry.
A major goal at the United States Patent & Trademark
Office, Office of Procurement is to promote and give consideration to
small business concerns. Requirements over the micro purchase amount of
$2,500 are identified early in the acquisition process to allow for consideration
for small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned and minority-owned businesses.
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/comp/proc/ipa/ipamain.htm
The Office of Procurement continues to promote Electronic
Commerce (EC) and utilize innovative technologies to streamline procurement
processes. Our EC effort, known as the Internet-Based Purchasing Application
(IPA), has been in use for over a year now. The IPA continues to grow
and is a successful tool in conducting simplified acquisitions over the
Internet.
For more information please contact:
Susan K. Brown
Records Officer
(PRA Clearance Desk)
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Suite 310
2231 Crystal Drive
Washington DC 20231
Telephone: 703-308-7400
E-Mail: susan.brown@uspto.gov
Muriel A. Brown
Small Business Liaison
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Office of Procurement
Box 6
Washington, DC 20231
Telephone: 703-305-8370
E-mail: Muriel.brown@uspto.gov
Department of Commerce Single Point of Contact:
Tom Pyke
Office of the Chief Information Officer
U.S. Department of Commerce
14th St. & Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-4797
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DEFENSE
It is the Department of Defense (DOD) policy that a fair proportion of
DOD total purchases, contracts, subcontracts, and other agreements for
property and services be placed with small business concerns, service-disabled
veteran-owned small business concerns, qualified historically underutilized
business zone (HUBZone) small business concerns, small disadvantaged business
concerns, women-owned small business concerns, and historically Black
colleges and universities and minority institutions.
The Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization (SADBU) is the principal proponent within the Office
of the Secretary of Defense for executing national and DOD policy as mandated
by the Congress and the President. The Director acts as ombudsman and
coordinator with the functional activity concerned in responding to complaints
and resolving problems encountered by small business firms performing
under DOD contracts.
The Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for
Information Operations and Reports (WHS/DIOR), serves as the central repository
for statistical information for the Department of Defense. General procurement
data, including subcontract information, is located on the WHS/DIOR web
site at http://www.dior.whs.mil/peidhome/peidhome.htm.
Specifically, SADBU utilizes the standard tabulation (ST) 28 report, titled
“Contract Awards by FSC and Purchasing Office,” as a key document
to assist small business concerns in identifying contracting activities
with contracting potential. The ST 28 matches the dollar obligations and
contract actions under each specific Federal Supply Class or Service Codes
and details the contracting activities that made awards by name, city,
and state. The ST 28 can be found at http://www.dior.whs.mil/peidhome/procstat/procstat.htm.
The Defense Logistics Agency, on behalf of the Secretary
of Defense, administers the DOD Procurement Technical Assistance Program
(PTAP). PTAP Centers are a local resource that can provide assistance
to business firms in marketing products and services to the Federal, state
and local governments. A list of PTAP Centers can be found at http://www.dla.mil/db/procurem.htm.
The DOD Regional Councils for Small Business Education
and Advocacy are a nationwide network of small business specialists organized
to promote the National Small Business Programs of the United States.
Council objectives include promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences,
and general information among small business specialists and the contracting
community; developing closer relationships and better communication among
Government entities and the small business community; and staying abreast
of statutes, policies, regulations, directives, trends, and technology
affecting the Small Business Program. There are eight Regional Councils
sponsored by the DOD Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(SADBU) governed by individual by-laws. Further information can be found
at http://www.acq.osd.mil/ms/regional/index.html.
Information on DOD’s initiatives and programs is
available on SADBU’s web site http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/index.htm.
Contact information and links to DOD Component SADBU Offices can be found
at http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/links/sadbu.htm.
Department of Defense Single Point of Contact:
Robert L. Cushing, Jr. (703)604-6269
Department of Defense
Washington Headquarters Services
Executive Services and Communications Directorate
1225 South Clark Street, Suite 504
Arlington, VA 22202-4326
Telephone: 703-604-6269
E-mail: robert.cushing@whs.mil
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EDUCATION
- Online
information centers on grants and contracts, financial aid, education
research and statistics, education policy (including legislation, regulations
and guidance), and education programs: www.ed.gov.
- Online
subscriptions to Department of Education newsletters: www.ed.gov.
- Department
of Education programs and initiatives: 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327).
- Student
aid: 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
- Matters
affecting small businesses: U.S. Department of Education, Office of
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 400 Maryland Ave., SW,
Washington, DC 20202; Telephone: 202-708-9820.
- Student
loan issues: www.ombudsman.ed.gov, U.S. Department of Education, FSA
Ombudsman, 830 First St., NE, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-5144;
Telephone: 1-877-557-2575; Fax: 202-275-0549.
Education Department Single Point of Contact:
John Tressler
U.S. Department of Education
Office of the Chief Information Officer
400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 245-6589
E-mail: John.Tressler@ed.gov
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ENERGY
The Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and
the Office of the Ombudsman handle small business compliance at the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE). And, each site facility and DOE contractor
has a small business manager dedicated to small business compliance. (http://smallbusiness.doe.gov)
The OSDBU oversees small business programs department-wide,
setting policies and procedures to ensure small business compliance in
DOE contract awards. The OSDBU also maintains a website with a clearinghouse
of small business information, as well as small business policies and
regulations and information on resources available to small businesses
both at DOE and at other agencies/departments. The OSDBU has an extensive
outreach/marketing program, including advertising in various publications
and participation in various small business conferences.
DOE maintains a number of partnerships with many federal
agencies such as the Small Business Administration and the Office of Federal
Contract Compliance to promote small business compliance. The OSDBU has
a “Small Business Council” composed of representatives of
major trade associations, small and minority business chambers, women
and veteran groups to ensure information/feedback to/from the small business
community relative to small business compliance.
The Office of the Ombudsman provides small business access
to an impartial review of their issues in dealing with the DOE and its
contractors. The Office gives small business guidance and referral services
to the correct entity within DOE and serves as a voice for the small business
within DOE.
Department of Energy Single Point of Contact:
Theresa Speake, Director
Office of Small & Disadvantaged
Business Utilization
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20585
Telephone: 202-586-8383
E-mail: Theresa.Speake@hq.doe.gov
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HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Small Business Resources -
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization
Located in HHS's Office of the Secretary, the Department's Office of Small
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) fosters the use of small
and disadvantaged businesses as Federal contractors. To accomplish this
task, the OSDBU develops and implements outreach programs aimed at heightening
the awareness of small business community to the contracting opportunities
available across the Department.
Outreach efforts include activities such as sponsoring
small business fairs and procurement conferences as well as participating
in trade group seminars, conventions, and other forums, which promote
the utilization of small and disadvantaged businesses as contractors.
The OSDBU web page, www.HHS.gov/osdbu,
presents important resources to aid contractors in doing business with
the Department. OSBDU's Director is Ms. Debbie Ridgeley. Ms. Ridgeley
may be contacted by telephone at 202-690-7300, or by E-mail at: Debbie.ridgely@hhs.gov.
HHS Regulatory Agencies -
Food and Drug Association (FDA)
FDA provides a wealth of written and electronic information to assist
small business compliance with FDA regulatory requirements.
FDA has published hundreds of guidelines to assist regulated
industry, including small business, in complying with the laws and regulations
that FDA administers. These guidelines cover virtually all areas that
FDA regulates, from new drug and medical device premarket review, to product
import and export issues, to issues that relate to the manufacture of
foods, drugs, devices, and biological products.
FDA has also published and made widely available guidelines
that the agency has developed for its own enforcement and compliance staff.
These guidelines describe the general standards for compliance action
and set forth the procedures to be followed in conducting investigational
and enforcement activities. Essentially all of these written materials
are available through FDA's many web-sites. FDA has also prepared "plain
language" versions of some of the more technical documents to assist
small businesses and others in understanding FDA's expectations.
FDA has created a number of small business and industry
assistance "homepages" on its web-sites that bring together
an array of useful regulatory and compliance information. For example,
the Center for Devices and Radiological Health has created a "Device
Advice" webpage, a self-service interactive site for obtaining information
about medical devices. The human pharmaceutical program has created a
comparable webpage, A Small Business Assistance”.
FDA's Small Business Representatives (SBR’s) are
a significant resource for the small business community. Each of FDA's
five regional offices is assigned an SBR to provide small business educational
outreach and training.
FDA regional offices represent another significant informational
resource for the small business community. The regional offices answer
thousands of questions, conduct scores of training programs, and organize
many "grassroots" meeting to educate the regulated industry,
especially small businesses, about emerging regulatory topics of interest.
In addition, FDA's public affairs specialists (PAS’s),
who are assigned to many of the agency's field offices, are able to respond
to questions about FDA's programs, policies, and procedures.
Finally, FDA has appointed ombudsmen in the Office of
the Commissioner, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center
for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the Center for Veterinary Medicine,
and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. These officials not
only provide compliance assistance, but also help regulated companies
explore available options in resolving disputes with the agency.
Guidelines
Technical guides
FDA has issued hundreds of guides to assist manufacturers in meeting premarket
approval and other regulatory requirements. Among these guidelines a number
of guidelines expressly directed to the concerns and needs of small businesses.
Inspectional guides
FDA has made publicly available the agency's manuals and written procedures
governing the conduct of inspectional and investigational activities
Policy guides
FDA has issued many guidelines to help regulated industry understand the
laws, policies, and regulations that FDA administers. Many of these documents
are issued in "plain language" versions to assist small businesses
and others in understanding FDA's expectations.
All of the above-cited guidance materials may be accessed
through the following Web sites:
Web
Assistance
The following small business and industry-assistance homepages also bring
together an array of useful regulatory and compliance information:
-
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Small Business Assistance:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/about/smallbiz/default.htm
- This site provides a listing of various programs, laws, regulations,
and organizations that pertain to the drug development and approval
process. This site is specifically geared to small businesses; however,
general information relating to both small and large businesses is also
available here (i.e., guidance documents, CDER calendar, etc...)
-
Information on Devices: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/devadvice/
- This is an interactive, self-service site. It contains information
on "How to Market Your Device" as well as an overview of the
regulations, guidance documents, consumer information, and more.
-
Veterinary Products: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/faqs/faqs.html
- This site answers "Frequently Asked Questions" about veterinary
products. It includes links to sites that provide information and requirements
for topics such as "New Animal Drug Approval" and "Marketing
a Pet Food Product," as well as others.
-
Center for Biologic Evaluation and Research (CBER): http://www.fda.gov/CBER/manufacturer.htm
- This website from the Center for Biologic Evaluation and Research
explains the manufacturers assistance program, which provides assistance
and training to companies, both large and small, regarding CBER policies
and procedures. This site also contains links to other sites that may
be of values to the small business owner.
-
Office of Regulatory Affairs Information on Small Business: http://www.fda.gov/ora/fed_state/small_business/default.htm
-
Office of Regulatory Affairs Small Business Guide to FDA: http://www.fda.gov/ora/fed_state/Small_Business/sb_guide/default.htm.
This site is from the FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs. It offers
links to a number of useful sites such as "What to do when marketing
a new product," "recalling a product," "undergoing
an FDA inspection," etc... It also provides an introduction to
the Federal Register, information on obtaining FDA documents, frequently
call numbers, and much more information.
-
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Guide to Starting a Food
Business: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/foodbiz.html
- Advice on "Starting A Food Business" which may be of interest
for the (potential) small business owner. This site provides links to
federal and state regulatory agencies, import & export information,
as well as several other helpful sites.
Small
Business and Industry Assistance Offices
Each major FDA component has its own industry assistance office. Staff
in these offices provide program-specific information and compliance assistance,
through the contact points indicated below:
CDER Small Business Assistance Drug Information Branch
301-827-4573, ordib@cder.fda.gov
CBER Division of Manufacturers Assistance and Training
301-827-2000, or matt@cber.fda.gov
CDRH Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance
dsma@cdrh.fda.gov Telephone:
1-800-638-2041
CVM Communications Staff jkla@cvm.fda.gov
Telephone: 301-827-3806
CFSAN Industry Activities Staff giguina@cfsan.fda.gov
Telephone: 301-436-1730
The
Small Business Representatives identified below in each of FDA's five
regional offices provide small businesses with personalized educational
outreach and compliance assistance:
Northeast
Region (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT)
Marilyn Corretto
158-15 Liberty Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11433-1034
Telephone: 718-662-5618
Fax: 718-662-5434
E-mail: oranersbr@ora.fda.gov
Central Region
(DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, ND, NJ, OH, PA, SD, VA, WI, WV)
Marie T. Falcone
U.S. Customhouse
2nd and Chestnut Sts., Room 900
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Telephone: (215) 597-2120 ext. 4003
Fax: (215) 597-5798
E-mail: mfalcone@ora.fda.gov
Southeast
Region (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI
Food and Drug Administration
60 Eighth St., N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30309
Telephone: (404) 253-1217
Fax: (404) 253-1207
E-mail: orasesbr@ora.fda.gov
Southwest
Region (AR, CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, NM, OK, TX, UT, WY)
David Arvelo
40 N. Central Expy., Suite 900
Dallas, TX 75204
Telephone: (214) 253-4952
Assistant: Sue Thomason
Telephone: (214) 253-4951
Fax: (214) 253-4970
E-mail: oraswrsbr@ora.fda.gov
Pacific Region
(AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA
Marcia Madrigal
Oakland Federal Building
1301 Clay Street, Suite 1180-N
Oakland, CA 94612-5217
Telephone: (510) 637-3980
Fax: (510) 637-3977
E-mail: mmadriga@ora.fda.gov
Ombudsman
FDA's Ombudsman Offices provide compliance assistance and assistance in
informal dispute resolution. There are also ombudsmen offices in most
of the program offices.
Office
of the Commissioner
Laurie Lenkel
Office of the Ombudsman
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 4B-44, HF-7
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 827-3390
Fax: (301) 480-8039
E-mail: ombuds@oc.fda.gov
Center
for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Sherry Lard Whiteford
CBER Ombudsman (HFM-4)
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 200N
Rockville, MD 20852-1448
Telephone: (301) 827-0379
E-mail: lard@cber.fda.gov
Center
for Drug Evaluation and Research
CDER Ombudsman (HFD-1)
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 9-74
Rockvillle, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 594-5443 or (301) 827-4312
E-mail: ombudsman@cder.fda.gov
Center
for Devices and Radiological Health
Les Weinstein
CDRH Ombudsman
Office of the Center Director
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Blvd. (HFZ-5)
Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone: (301) 827-7991
Fax: (301 ) 827-2565
E-mail: ombudsman@cdrh.fda.gov
Center
for Veterinary Medicine
Marcia K. Larkins, D.V.M
FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
Ombudsman
7519 Standish Place HFV-7
Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: (301) 827-4535
Fax: (301) 827-3957
E-Mail: mlarkins@cvm.fda.gov
Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS's Small Business Office
CMS has a full time Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Specialist
(SDBUS) located in its Acquisition and Grants Group. The SDBUS is the
Agency's focal point for ensuring that all reasonable action is taken
to increase awards to small, small disadvantaged, HUBZones, and women-owned
businesses. This Office maintains company profiles and capability statements
for all types of services. Inquiries should be directed to Sharon McKinney,
on (410) 786-5162, or e-mail may be sent to: smckinney@cms.hhs.gov.
Grant
Opportunities
While CMS's Program Offices are concerned with the scientific, technical
and programmatic topics, the Acquisition and Grants Group/Research Contracts
and Grants Division is primarily charged with the business management
and policy aspects of CMS's discretionary grant and cooperative agreement
activities.
Currently,
CMS conducts a myriad of R&D programs including (but not limited to)
the following: Real Choice Systems Change Grants, Medicaid Infrastructure
Grants, State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Health Initiatives. For additional
information, please contact Judy Norris on (410) 786-5130 or e-mail to:
jnorris1@cms.hhs.gov.
Regulatory
Burden
The CMS liaison with the Small Business Administration's Office of the
National Ombudsman is the Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory
Affairs (OSORA).
OSORA is
the Agency's focal point for assessing and reducing the burden of Federal
paperwork on small businesses in accordance with the Small Business Paperwork
Relief Act of 2002 (SBPRA).
OSORA is
responsible for responding to small entity concerns on regulatory burden,
coordinating the development of department-wide non-retaliation policy
with the Department of Health and Human Services, and participating in
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness hearings and meetings when issues relate
to the CMS mission.
OSORA has
established the following resources as contacts for small businesses experiencing
problems pertaining to the regulatory burden aspect of doing business:
Phone: (410) 786-1002
Email: sbaombudsman@cms.hhs.gov
Website
In addition, CMS provides on its all-purpose Web site www.cms.hhs.gov
extensive amounts of information about the agency's programs, organized
in terms of the kind of health-service provider affected, e.g. hospitals,
nursing homes home health agencies, or durable medical equipment suppliers.
This information is not currently differentiated in terms of the size
of these providers' business entities, but CMS is planning to take steps
in the near future to earmark the information in terms of its applicability
to small businesses.
National
Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH Small Business Office (SBO) serves as an advocate for small business
through various program activities and outreach efforts. These efforts
are intended to maximize prime and subcontract acquisition opportunities
at the NIH for small businesses owned by the disadvantaged, women, veterans,
service-disabled veterans, and Historically Underutilized Business Zone
(HUBZone) concerns. Inquires should be sent to Diana Mukitarian, Chief,
(301) 496-9639, sbmail@od.nih.gov
The Small
Business Program is located in the NIH's Office of Acquisition Management
and Policy, whose URL is: http://oa.od.nih.gov/oamp/index.html
Among other
things, the Small Business Program at the NIH is responsible for:
- Developing
and maintaining acquisition review procedures and guidelines for requests
for contracts, subcontracting plans and operations as contract activities.
Such reviews result in recommendations to contracting officers regarding
the method of acquisition to be pursued and the acceptability of proposed
subcontracting plans and prime contractors' small business programs;
- Conducting
surveillance of contract, simplified acquisition and satellite small
business program activity, and conducting studies of specific problem
areas to ensure effective small business program performance and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations;
- Ensuring
the development and presentation of management data to provide continuing
visibility of program activity and to evaluate program accomplishments
against agency socio-economic goals;
- Representing
the NIH at Federal, state, local government and congressional small
business conferences and fairs. Serving as a guest and expert speaker
at various Federal, state, local government and Congressional small
business conferences and fairs;
- Serving
as a liaison between the NIH program and contract staff and the contractor
community;
- Delivering
industry assistance by maintaining a program designed to locate capable
small, disadvantaged, woman, veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone -
owned small business concerns for current and future acquisitions;
- Representing
the NIH to industry by interfacing with CEOs and other principals of
private companies, to include small and large firms, as well as nonprofits
and universities;
- Responding
to inquiries and requests for advise from small, disadvantaged, woman,
veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone - owned businesses; and assisting
small business in their marketing and business development efforts and
activities.
Department
of Health and Human Services Single Point of Contact:
Debbie Ridgely, Director
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Room 360-G Humphrey Building
Washington, DC 20201
Telephone: (202) 260-0040
E-mail: SB.PRA@HHS.gov
Top
Health
Resources and Services Administration
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) exists primarily
to expand access to health care for medically underserved individuals
and families across the nation through community-based networks of primary
and preventive health care services. HRSA has become known as "The
'Access' Agency" for its services to Americans who lack health insurance;
62 million Americans in rural communities; 78 million racial and ethnic
minorities; over 800,000 Americans with HIV/AIDS; and about 80,000 U.S.
residents awaiting organ transplants.
HRSA
Contracting Office and Small Business Representative
The HRSA contracting office, the Contracts Operations Branch, is currently
part of the Division of Grants and Procurement Management. The current
Small Business Representative, Ms. Debora Pitts, is available to assist
small businesses in navigating the field of HRSA acquisitions. Ms. Pitts
may be contacted at 301-443-3789.
Key Contact
Persons in HRSA Contracts
HRSA "HCA" (Head of Contracting Activities) is Dr. Albert F.
Marra, who may be reached at 301-443-1433. The HRSA Chief of the Contracts
Operations Branch is Mr. Steve Zangwill, who may be contacted at 301-443-5097.
Mr. Zangwill is assisted by Mr. Frank Murphy, who leads the negotiated
contract team, at 301-443-5165, and Ms. Bonnie Garcia, who heads the simplified
acquisitions team at 301-443-5116. The main office number is 301-443-1433.
All contracting
opportunities at HRSA are announced publicly via the world wide web using
the government's new FedBizOpps program at the following web site: www.fedbizopps.gov.
Contractors
and vendors are urged to visit that site, as well as the larger HRSA web
site at www.hrsa.gov to keep abreast
of contracting needs as well as programmatic changes and developments.
Another vehicle open to interested potential contractors is to study the
grants funding opportunities available to various agencies and organizations.
These grants opportunities, which are also announced via the web, the
Federal Register, FedBizOpps, and through "The HRSA Preview,"
give further indications of potential acquisitions needs. The HRSA Preview
may be obtained through the HRSA web site or by calling 1-877-HRSA-123.
Contractors may also find fertile opportunities for sub-contracting with
HRSA grantees.
National
Institutes of Health (NIH)
Small Business Office
The NIH Small Business Office (SBO) serves as an advocate for small business
through various program activities and outreach efforts. These efforts
are intended to maximize prime and subcontract acquisition opportunities
at the NIH for small businesses owned by the disadvantaged, women, veterans,
service-disabled veterans, and Historically Underutilized Business Zone
(HUBZone) concerns
The Small
Business Program is located in the NIH's Office of Acquisition Management
and Policy, whose URL is: http://oa.od.nih.gov/oamp/index.html
Specific
points of contact include:
NIH Small Business Office
Diana Mukitarian, Chief
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 6D05
Bethesda, MD 20892-7540
Phone: (301) 496-9639
Fax: (301) 480-2506
E-mail: sbmail@od.nih.gov
The National
Cancer Institute
Joseph Bowe
Small Business Specialist
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 608
Bethesda, MD 20892-7222
Phone: (301) 435-3810
Fax: (301) 480-0309
E-mail: Bowej@rcb.nci.nih.gov
The National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Mary B. Workman
Small Business Specialist
Acquisitions Management Branch
P.O. Box 12874, MD NH-02
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Phone: (919) 541-0377
Fax: (919) 541-5117
E-mail: workman@niehs.nih.gov
Among other
things, the Small Business Program at the NIH is responsible for:
- Developing
and maintaining acquisition review procedures and guidelines for requests
for contracts, subcontracting plans and operations as contract activities.
Such reviews result in recommendations to contracting officers regarding
the method of acquisition to be pursued and the acceptability of proposed
subcontracting plans and prime contractors' small business programs;
- Conducting
surveillance of contract, simplified acquisition and satellite small
business program activity, and conducting studies of specific problem
areas to ensure effective small business program performance and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations;
- Ensuring
the development and presentation of management data to provide continuing
visibility of program activity and to evaluate program accomplishments
against agency socio-economic goals;
- Representing
the NIH at Federal, state, local government and congressional small
business conferences and fairs. Serving as a guest and expert speaker
at various Federal, state, local government and Congressional small
business conferences and fairs;
- Serving
as a liaison between the NIH program and contract staff and the contractor
community;
- Delivering
industry assistance by maintaining a program designed to locate capable
small, disadvantaged, woman, veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone -
owned small business concerns for current and future acquisitions;
- Representing
the NIH to industry by interfacing with CEOs and other principals of
private companies, to include small and large firms, as well as nonprofits
and universities;
- Responding
to inquiries and requests for advise from small, disadvantaged, woman,
veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone - owned businesses; and assisting
small business in their marketing and business development efforts and
activities.
Department
of Health and Human Services Single Point of Contact:
Debbie Ridgely, Director
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
202-690-7300 call
email addresses
debbie.ridgely@hhs.gov
arthuretta.martin@hhs.gov
Top
HOMELAND
SECURITY
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Small Business and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) assists, counsels, and advises
small businesses of all types (small businesses, small disadvantaged business,
women-owned small businesses, veteran owned small businesses, service
disabled veteran owned small businesses, and small businesses located
in historically underutilized business zones) on procedures for contracting
with DHS.
Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Small Business and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) assists, counsels, and advises
small businesses of all types (small businesses, small disadvantaged business,
women-owned small businesses, veteran owned small businesses, service
disabled veteran owned small businesses, and small businesses located
in historically underutilized business zones) on procedures for contracting
with DHS. The point of contact for this small business program is Kevin
Boshears; he may be reached at (202) 772-9792 and kevin.boshears@dhs.gov.
Office
of the Private Sector
The Office of the Private Sector has an e-mail address where small business
inquiries could be made, namely private.sector@dhs.gov. The Office will,
pursuant to the Homeland Security Act, have the capability to advise the
Secretary regarding the impact on the private sector, including small
business, of proposed regulations concerning homeland security. For now
an individual and phone number that can be used as an entry point to the
Office would be Ms. Elizabeth Callaway at (202) 282-8484 and elizabeth.callaway@dhs.gov.
Department
of Homeland Security Single Point of Contact:
Yvonne Pollard
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Telephone: (202) 692-4221
E-mail: yvonne.pollard@dhs.gov
Bureau
of Citizenship & Immigration Services (INS)
The paperwork requirement imposed by the Bureau of Citizenship and
Immigration Services is the Form I-9. Completion of this one-page form
By employers helps to insure a legal workforce within the United States
and does not present a significant burden for businesses. The Bureau has
instituted electronic filing of some applications and provides application
status on line. These improvements have been a boost to many businesses,
providing a speedy mechanism for filling critical positions with foreign
experts or semi-skilled workers with temporary and permanent foreign workers.
Many employers make use of the Bureau's petitions and applications for
approval to hire alien temporary workers.
Live voice
assistance, Employer Hotline (800) 357-2099 is available for employers
and Live voice assistance for general questions (800) 357-5283. Information
for e-filing can be found at www.bcis.gov.
Employer Assistance Resources can be found at www.bcis.gov under the title
"Information for Employers", Office of Business Liaison. Requests
for speakers and questions can be faxed to (202) 305-2523.
DHS
Point of Contact for Small Business Compliance Assistance:
Felicia A. Colvin
Supervisory Information Specialist
Office of Business Liaison
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Telephone: (202) 305-2461
Bureau
of Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The newly formed Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been
working under the trade concept of “informed compliance” since
the passage of the Customs Modernization Act (1993). This law mandated
CBP to develop a proactive strategy to advise importers of their responsibilities
under the law. To fulfill this mandate, CBP has implemented several measures
for providing guidance on laws governing international trade for all importers
and exporters, including small businesses. Small businesses can avail
themselves of this information using the following means: CBP Web Site
(downloadable); local and national trade meetings/seminars; weekly publications
of the Customs Bulletin; binding rulings program; other informed compliance
brochures and pamphlets; and direct contact with CBP personnel.
There are
over 300 ports of entry where we enforce numerous laws for CBP and other
government agencies while serving as America’s frontline for border
security. As the agency’s primary responsibility, CBP has twin goals
of improving security and facilitating legitimate trade and travel, which
are not mutually exclusive. In its role to facilitate trade, CBP has always
provided compliance assistance to the trade community about the laws and
regulations that apply to importing and exporting. Customs officers at
the ports of entry, the Strategic Trade Centers, field operations offices
and at Headquarters daily receive and respond to requests for information
from the public.
The CBP Web
Site lists all ports of entry with their addresses and telephone numbers.
CBP has incorporated a Customer Service Center that responds to inquiries
via a toll free number (1-877-Customs). The Office of Trade Relations
(OTR) is designated as the point of contact within CBP for small businesses
and may be reached at (202) 927-1440 or via email at traderelations@dhs.gov.
This office was revamped in 2002 to ensure effective, extensive communication
between CBP and all facets of the trade community. Any small entity seeking
general information about importing procedures or wanting to comment on
their interaction with CBP may contact OTR for assistance.
Customs and
Border Protection
Office of Trade Relations
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 4.2A
Washington, DC 20229
Telephone: 202-927-1440
Fax: 202-927-1696
E-mail: traderelations@dhs.gov
Coast
Guard
Coast Guard single point of contact:
Steve Venckus
Chief, Office of Regulations and Administrative Law (G-LRA)
2100 2d Street SW (Room 1417)
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Phone: 202-267-1534
Fax: 202-267-6234
Email: svenckus@comdt.uscg.mil.
The Coast
Guard encourages small entities to participate in the development of Coast
Guard regulations. Our Web site offers help in understanding and complying
with those regulations. Use the following links to access help in these
areas:
The Coast
Guard proudly maintains the following policy:
If you question or lodge a complaint regarding a Coast Guard policy or
action, to us or to anyone else, or if you seek outside help in dealing
with a Coast Guard policy or action, the Coast Guard will not retaliate
against you in any fashion. The Coast Guard wants you to be able to comment,
question, or lodge a complaint about our policies or actions without fear
that we will retaliate or try to discourage future questions or complaints.
If you think the Coast Guard has broken this promise, we will investigate,
take appropriate action, and make sure that mistakes are not repeated.
You may comment, ask questions, or file a complaint about Coast Guard
policies or actions by contacting your local Coast Guard office, or you
can also contact the Small Business Administration Office of the National
Ombudsman at 888-REG-FAIR (734-3247), fax: 202-481-5719, email: ombudsman@sba.gov.
Small businesses
generally are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in
their field. If you need help determining whether or not your business
qualifies as a "small business", contact the SBA's Office of
the National Ombudsman using the information given in the preceding paragraph.
Top
HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization OSDBU has many
tools available for small businesses. Through the establishment of the
Information Technology (IT) training HUD has provided a learning tool
for small businesses to understand all aspects of HUD’s IT opportunities.
Introducing this training program has enabled HUD to form partnerships
with small businesses and identify qualified companies to seek IT opportunities
within the agency.
HUD sponsors
Marketing and Outreach business fairs and focuses both on direct HUD contracting
opportunities and contracting opportunities created by HUD assisted projects
including Community Development Block Grant recipients and Public Housing
authorities. HUD outreach sessions include HUD program offices and prime
contractors who offer sub-contracting opportunities to small, small disadvantaged
and women-owned businesses. HUD has attended approximately 50 outreach
conferences including procurement fairs, trade shows, marketplace presentations
throughout the country with a strong emphasis on the utilization of small
businesses.
HUD’s
contracting home page is linked to the OSDBU homepage in HUD’s website.
The contracting home page contains notices of HUD procurement opportunities
and allows interested parties to download a file containing solicitations.
A special OSDBU page contains Small Business tips, the Forecast of Contracting
Opportunities, a Small Business Resource Guide and notification of outreach
activities.
The chart
below identifies the Department’s compliance assistance resources
for submission to OMB for the Internet.
HUD also
has the HUD Procurement System (HPS), an integrated commercial and customized
software program that automates procurement operations department-wide.
This system includes a rapid query of contracting information that enables
all companies to submit bids or proposals for upcoming contracting opportunities
and the identification of HUBZones for participation in contracting and
sub-contracting opportunities. Additionally, it provides HUD with a system
to monitor and evaluate its actual achievements in regard to participation
of small businesses in HUD activities.
HUD sponsors
Marketing and Outreach business fairs and focuses both on direct HUD contracting
opportunities and indirect contracting opportunities created by HUD assisted
projects including, Community Development Block Grant recipients and public
housing authorities. During these events, program offices and prime contractors
who offer sub-contracting opportunities to small, small disadvantaged
and women owned businesses are urged to attend. Last year, HUD attended
approximately 50 outreach conferences including procurement fairs, trade
shows and marketplace presentations throughout the country. The OSDBU
Business Utilization Development Specials (BUDS), have regular one-on-one
meetings with small businesses. The Director holds “Thursday Open
House” sessions for all small, small disadvantaged and Women Owned
Small Businesses (WOSBs). These meetings give small businesses the opportunity
to meet personally with the Director and the specialized BUDS advocate
within the OSDBU. The aforementioned efforts are in addition to the daily
counseling and one-on-one meetings held with these businesses at the HUD
headquarters and field offices.
The OSDBU
has increased its staff to include a Contract Specialist, an Information
Technology Specialist, a Small Business Policy Specialist and a Research
Analyst. HUD has implemented innovative projects and tools utilizing the
latest technologies that have and will continue to have a positive effect
on the participation of WOSBs in departmental contracting activities.
There are IT outreach sessions held regularly with IT small businesses
to inform them of new procurement opportunities at HUD.
New Methodologies
that challenge conventional procedures include the establishment of subcontracting
policies that have resulted in an increase in contract dollars to small
businesses. The HUD Procurement System (HPS) effectively tracks all contracting
and subcontracting dollars awarded to small businesses. HUD has established
a subcontracting goal of up to 40% of the total value of each contract
and subsequent extensions, modifications and options. Contractors that
are unable to meet the established goal must provide the rational for
the proposed level of subcontracting. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) at Part 19.702 and HUD's own federal acquisition regulation
(HUDAR) at 2452.219-70, solicitations exceeding $500,000 that include
HUDAR provision 2452.219-70, shall provide the maximum practicable subcontracting
opportunities to small, small disadvantaged and women-owned businesses.
Prior to award, each contract shall be evaluated on specific subcontracting
goals and commitments to small businesses. These pioneering subcontracting
policies also include subcontracting plans for General Services Administration
schedule buys. There is a concentrated effort to conduct outreach with
small businesses across the nation.
HUD OSDBU
continuously performs at a level of professional excellence to serve our
customers. HUD consistently formulates and implements written policies
supporting small businesses and includes references to small businesses
in standard operating procedures. HUD has designated a senior executive
as the Director of the OSBDU who is responsible for implementing small
business policy initiatives. Furthermore, HUD maintains an effective system
to provide acknowledgement of procurement personnel that utilize 8(a)
small businesses. HUD places a high priority on direct communications
and outreach efforts; we utilize newsletters, facilitate trade show and
marketplace presentations and conduct business assistance and
training seminars. HUD is one of the most innovative governmental agencies
and is constantly retrofitting its employment with the latest technologies
to enhance service to small businesses. HUD constantly employs proactive
strategies to increase opportunities for these businesses to serve as
prime contractors and subcontractors. HUD has achieved phenomenal success
in requiring prime contractors to establish measurable programs to increase
subcontracting opportunities.
Publications:
Seminars
and Classes:
WEB
based compliance:
- Brent
Pick is HUD’s webmaster and updates all contract compliance issues
on the web. (303) 672-5281 ext. 1821 Brent_Pick@hud.gov
Telephone
Service:
- (202)
708-1428, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization HUD
Headquarters, Room 3130
Future
Activities:
- CD-Roms/Video
- Online/E-mail
Service
On-Site
Evaluation/Assistance:
- Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, A. Jo Baylor, Director:
HUD – Headquarters 451 7th Street, SW, Room 3130, Washington,
D.C. 20410; E-mail: a.jo_baylor@hud.gov
Housing
and Urban Development Single Point of Contact:
A.Jo Baylor Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
HUD Headquarters 451 7th St, SW
Room 3130
Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1428
E-mail: a.jo_baylor@hud.gov
Top
INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management |
Submit
Permits and Reports Electronically |
https://www.wispermits.org/ |
How
to File a Mining Claim |
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/pubs/brochures/minerals/index.htm#Q3 |
Minerals Management Service |
"Dear
Payor" Letters, Notices to Lessees, Small Refiner Program |
http://www.mrm.mms.gov/RIKweb/SmallRefiners.htm |
Electronic
Payment Information |
http://www.mrm.mms.gov/ReportingServices/PDFDocs/fedwire.pdf
|
Regulations
governing collecting, accounting for and distributing revenues associated
with mineral production from leased federal and Indian lands |
http://www.mrm.mms.gov/Laws_R_D/FRNotices/FRHome.htm |
Regulations
governing leasing and operations on the Federal offshore |
http://www.mms.gov/offshore/Regulations.htm |
Workshops
to explain more complex regulations |
Available
at various locations around the country |
Training
on how to report royalty revenue and related information |
Available
at various locations around the country |
Bureau of Reclamation |
Statute,
regulations, Reclamation Reform Act (RRA) Fact Sheets, RRA forms &
instructions, and Status of Irrigation Districts List |
http://www.usbr.gov/rra/ |
Explanations
of the most common Reclamation Reform Act questions and issues in
plain English |
www.usbr.gov/rra
and at the Reclamation District offices in all irrigation districts |
Fish and Wildlife Service |
General
Compliance Guidance |
http://pdm.fws.gov/sba/sbindex.html |
Compliance
Guidance for Wildlife Import and Export License Holders |
http://www.le.fws.gov/PublicBulletin.htm |
Non-Retaliation
Policy |
http://policy.fws.gov/do142.html |
Outreach
Presentations for the Import/Export Community |
http://www.le.fws.gov/inspectors.htm |
Courses
on Conservation, Grantwriting, Conservation Partnerships, Developing
and Working with Friends Groups, and Other Topics |
http://training.fws.gov/ |
Assistance
for Importers and Exporters, Taxidermists, Guides and Outfitters |
http://www.le.fws.gov/inspectors.htm |
FWS
Publications Online |
http://library.fws.gov/pubs3.html |
Office of Surface Mining |
Applicant
Violator System |
http://www.avs.osmre.gov/ |
Small
Operator Assistance Program |
http://www.osm.gov/soap.htm |
Copies
of OSM Forms |
http://www.osm.gov/forms.htm |
Policies
and Guidance |
http://www.osm.gov/policy.htm |
Department
of the Interior Single Point of Contact:
John Strylowski
U.S. Department of the Interior
MS 7229 MIB
Washington, DC 20240
Telephone: 202-208-3071
Fax: 202-219-2100
E-Mail: john_strylowski@ios.doi.gov
Top
JUSTICE
Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) strives
to improve and increase the Department's performance in utilizing small,
small disadvantage, small woman-owned and veteran-owned businesses as
contractors and subcontractors. Our various bureaus spend approximately
two billion dollars a year in the private sector. Currently,
more than 42 percent of those dollars go to small businesses, with 10
to 15 percent going to minority-owned firms and 3 to 5 percent going to
woman-owned companies.
The OSDBU
Director and the Deputy Attorney General are committed to encouraging
and assisting well-qualified and skillful small, minority, and woman-owned
businesses seeking contracts with the Department of Justice. The acquisition
function in the Justice Department has been assigned to each of our bureaus'
contracting staffs, most of which are located in the metropolitan Washington,
DC area. We have prepared several avenues to assist small and disadvantaged
businesses in getting better acquainted with the requirements and procurement
practices of the bureaus.
Information
on DOJ's initiatives and activities is available on the DOJ Small Business
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/osdbu.
This site links to the Small Business homepage, which provides extensive
small business assistance information including registration for the monthly
vendors outreach sessions which provides the opportunity for one-on-one
meetings with small business specialist and contracting officers.
Seminars/Conferences/Outreach
Sessions http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/osdbu/index.html
OSDBU
Contact:
Ramona Johnson-Glover, Acting Director
OSDBU
1331 Penn Ave. N.W.
National Place Bld., Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-616-0521 or 1-800-345-3712
Fax: 202-616-1717
E-Mail: Ramona.M.JohnsonGlover@USDOJ.gov
Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Publications of benefit or interest to ATF industry members and the general
public (i.e., firearms and explosives regulations, newsletters, rulings,
press releases, statistics and State & local training courses, Federal
law and regulations, State Laws and Published Ordinances, and Federal
Register notices.)
- Theft/losses
of explosives materials: 1-888-ATF-2662
- Toll
free for reports of gun related crimes and after hours theft/losses:
1-800-ATF-GUNS
- Toll
free for theft/losses of firearms: 1-800-800-3855
- ATF Firearms
and Explosives Compliance Web Site: www.atf.gov
The ATF provides
various publications to our industry members as well as the general public.
Some of the publications available either on ATF web site or in hard copy,
include manuals which provide ATF's regulatory requirements in a plain
language format; informational brochures to help raise awareness of possible
criminal activity (i.e., Reporting theft of Explosives and Firearms, Arson
incidents); and industry newsletters for all businesses regulated by ATF.
Publications, brochures and forms are produced in quantities of 115,000
each for firearms and 12,000 for explosives, for distribution to the licensees,
permittees, and to trade and research organizations and the press.
ATF hosts/participates
in national, international, as well as regional/local conferences and
meetings. In addition, ATF personnel are often invited by associations
to attend their national conferences to give presentations on topics of
interest to association members, and/or set up an exhibit booth. The ATF
exhibit booth provides yet another venue through which industry members
that attend these meetings, may ask questions or concerns regarding ATF
policy or regulations.
ATF personnel
have also been asked by industry associations as well as regulatory associations/agencies
to participate on various panels. Recent topics on which the ATF has provided
our expertise include but are not limited to, Safe Explosives Act, Shot
Show University, Annual Importers Conference.
There are
a number of application forms and reports required by ATF, some of which
are now available on ATF's web site www.atf.gov.
ATF
Contact:
Mary Jo Hughes
Chief, FEA Services Division
Office of Firearms, Explosives and Arson
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20226
Telephone: 202-927-8045
Fax: 202-927-7488
Civil
Rights Division (CRT)
CRT - Disability Rights Section (DRS)
The home
page provides information about the toll-free ADA Information Line, the
Department's ADA enforcement activities, the ADA technical assistance
program, certification of State and local building codes, proposed changes
in ADA regulations and requirements, and the ADA mediation program. The
home page also provides direct access to ADA regulations and technical
assistance materials, Freedom of Information Act materials, links to the
Department's press releases, and links to the other Federal agencies'
Internet home pages that contain ADA information. ADA. The website received
over one million visitors during FY 2003.
ADA Guide
for Small Business
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/smbusgd.pdf
ADA Information
Line
DRS operates a toll-free ADA Information Line to provide information to
the public about the requirements of the ADA and to distribute technical
assistance publications to the public. Automated service is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week. During business hours, members of the
public can consult with Department staff for assistance in applying ADA
requirements to their own specific situation. The ADA Information Line
numbers are (800) 514-0301(voice); (800) 514-0383 (TTY). During FY 2003,
the Information Line received 120,000 calls.
ADA Fax
on Demand
The ADA Information Line Fax Delivery Service allows the public to obtain
free ADA information by fax 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By calling
the ADA Information Line, callers can select from among 32 different ADA
technical assistance publications and receive the information, usually
within minutes, directly on their fax machines or computer fax/modems.
ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301 (voice); 800-514-0383 (TTY)
ADA publications
DRS produces a range of technical assistance documents, including an ADA
Guide for Small Businesses that has been published jointly with the Small
Business Administration. ADA.During FY 2003, the Department developed
41 new technical assistance materials, including five publications on
specific topics of interest to businesses that can be printed and distributed
directly from the web addressing the issues of service animals, restriping
parking lots, refueling assistance at gas pumps, communicating with people
who are deaf or hard of hearing in hospital settings, and communicating
with people who are deaf or hard of hearing in hotels, motels, and other
places of transient lodging.
ADA training
DRS provides ADA training at meetings nationwide; and conducts outreach
to broad and targeted audiences that have included mayors, local Chambers
of Commerce, and millions of businesses. Requests for speakers and training
should be placed through the ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301 (voice);
800-514-0383 (TTY). During 2003, the Department fulfilled 60 training,
speaking, and exhibit engagements.
ADA Mediation
Program
The Department's ADA Mediation Program facilitates compliance by entities,
including small businesses, using a voluntary alternative dispute resolution
approach. Carried out through a partnership between the Federal government
and the private sector, more than 450 professional mediators are available
nationwide to mediate ADA cases. In FY 2003, 188 complaints with businesses
were resolved successfully through the ADA Mediation Program. To date
in FY 2004, the Department has referred an additional 144 cases to the
mediation program.
CRT
- Office of Special Counsel for Unfair Immigration Related Employment
Practices (OSC)
OSC's Internet site has helpful information specifically designed for
businesses as well as workers. The site describes the legal obligations
of employers to comply with the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA) and provides other information to assist compliance
(such as brochures, booklets, frequently asked questions, and legal references).
In FY 2003, the OSC web site had more than 386,000 new and recurring page
visitors. The site is at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc.
In April, OSC published a newsletter, “OSC Update,” which
provides an update of OSC’s outreach and enforcement activities,
and highlights OSC’s informal resolution program.
OSC Employer
Hotline
OSC has a national toll-free telephone line solely for the use of employers
who wish to consult with OSC staff members about their compliance concerns.
The telephone line is staffed by OSC attorneys and Equal Opportunity Specialists
who promptly address employers' questions, providing immediate guidance.
OSC staff often advise employers on how to avoid discrimination in the
workplace, minimizing any future liability. Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD:
1-800-362-2735
OSC Job
Applicant or Employee Hotline
Based on information received from individuals calling this line, and
OSC's prompt investigation of these cases, OSC often is able to bring
early, efficient, cost-effective resolutions to employment disputes that
might otherwise result in the filing of charges, the accumulation of potential
back pay awards, or litigation expenses. These early interventions minimize
the impact of statutory enforcement on small businesses.
Voice: 1-800-255-7688 or (202) 616-5525; TDD: 1-800-237-2515
The OSC processed over 18,580 calls to its employer and employee hotlines
in FY 2003.
OSC Training
Materials
OSC also provides employers, where necessary, with training materials
for their staff, including booklets, posters and educational videotapes,
on how to ensure that they do not engage in discriminatory behavior. The
employer hotline number is distributed with all of OSC's outreach materials
for employers.
Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-2735; E-mail Address: osccrt@usdoj.gov
Download Brochures and Booklets: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/htm/outreach.htm
Based on FY 2003 levels, the OSC expects to disseminate over 100,000 copies
of its brochures and booklets free of charge during FY 2004.
Compliance
Assistance Education
OSC takes part in numerous employer training sessions throughout the country,
providing employers guidance on how they can comply with the antidiscrimination
provisions of the immigration laws. OSC attorneys also conduct outreach
seminars across the country that are organized by OSC grantees and specifically
designed to address issues of concern to employers. OSC routinely provides
compliance assistance training and other guidance to employers that OSC
determined committed unlawful discrimination to ensure that such violations
do not recur.
Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-2735; E-mail Address: osccrt@usdoj.gov.
In FY 2003, OSC officials conducted 83 such presentations.
OSC Grants
In addition to the direct outreach activities of its own staff, OSC provides
grants to employer associations (such as chambers of commerce) and other
entities to allow those organizations to conduct further compliance assistance
among their members and constituents. In FY 2003, OSC’s grantees
presented information about INA compliance at hundreds of events that
were attended by thousands of employers and workers and distributed thousands
of copies of OSC’s brochures and booklets. There are 11 OSC grantees
operating across the country in FY 2004. Grants totaled almost $675,000.
Press Statement: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/press/30814grantees.pdf
OSC Assistance
to SBA's Small Business Development Centers
To improve its outreach and service to the small business community, OSC
contacted the SBA’s Office of Small Business Development Centers
(OSBDC) and the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC)
and offered to provide training and information materials, assistance
with training events, and technical guidance to the SBDC networks across
the county. There are more than 1,000 SBDC centers and subcenters that
provide low-cost counseling and training to small businesses. The SBDCs
are generally receptive to providing INA compliance information to their
small business clients, and OSC expects to cultivate this partnership
in 2004 and future years. OSC will soon roll out a small business resource
page on its website.
OSC address
and phone numbers:
Office of
Special Counsel
for Immigration Related
Unfair Employment Practices
Civil Rights Division
Department of Justice
Post Office Box 27728
Washington, DC 20038-7728
Telephone: 202-616-5594
OSC Employer
Hotline:
Voice: 1-800-255-8155
TDD: 1-800-362-2735
Civil Rights
Division - General Point of Contact
David K. Flynn *
Chief, Appellate Section
P.O. Box 66078
Washington, DC 20035-6078
Telephone: 202-514-2195
Fax: 202-524-8490
* (Please note that Mr. Flynn is not assigned either to the Disability
Rights Section (DRS) or to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). General
small business inquiries for information or for assistance concerning
compliance with matters within the areas of responsibility of DRS or OSC
should be directed to the addresses and phone numbers in the respective
sections.)
Drug
Enforcement Administration
DEA's Office of Diversion Control (OD) is the internal office that has
oversight over and works with small businesses. As such, OD and Diversion
field personnel continuously review ways in which the DEA can ensure small
businesses have access to SBREFA material as well as improve upon current
outreach initiatives.
OD Web
Site
Office of Diversion Control's Web Site (http://www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov).
contains information specifically relating to DEA's Diversion Program.
Between January 1 and October 31, 2003, DEA’s entire Diversion Control
Program web site was visited 1,047,968 (an average of 4,463 visits per
day). Below are some of the web pages that were visited and the number
of times they were viewed
Publications
DEA provides various publications to its registrant population as well
as the general public. Some of the publications available either on Diversion's
web site or in a hard copy, include registrant manuals which provide DEA's
regulatory requirements in a plain language format; the SBREFA Advisory
Notice; informational brochures to help raise awareness of possible criminal
activity (i.e., a Pharmacist's Guide to Prescription Fraud, Recognizing
the Drug Abuser, Drug Addiction in Healthcare Professionals, and Stimulant
Abuse by School Age Children); industry newsletters; press releases; and
program reports.
www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/index.html
For those
small businesses that do not have access to the Internet, the DEA provides
contact telephone numbers for Diversion Headquarters and field personnel
as well as the SBA Ombudsman in the back of hard bound copies of the registrant
manuals.
Requests
for information or reports should be mailed to:
Drug Enforcement
Administration
Office of Diversion Control / ATTN:
Washington, DC 20537
Small
Business Regulatory Fairness Advisory: www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/fair_adviz.htm
This notice advises DEA registrants to contact DEA Field Offices if they
have any questions regarding DEA's regulations and policies. If they are
a small business, they may contact the SBA's Office of the Ombudsman to
comment on DEA's enforcement actions. This Advisory is also included in
all revised and new manuals.
Seminars/Classes
Web-Based
Compliance
Onsite
Evaluation/ Assistance
Meetings/Conferences
DEA hosts national as well as regional/local conferences and meetings.
In addition, Diversion personnel are often invited by associations to
attend their national conferences to give presentations on topics of interest
to association members, and/or set up an exhibit booth.
www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/mtgs/dea_mtgs.html
Toll
Free Telephone Numbers
Contact information for Diversion Control Program personnel located at
DEA Headquarters and local field offices may be viewed at the following
web address:
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/offices_n_dirs/index.html
SUMMARY
OF JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
DRS address
and phone number:
Disability Rights Section
Civil Rights Division
P.O. Box 66738
Washington, DC 20035-6738
Telephone: 202-307-0663
Fax: 202-307-1198
ADA Information
Line
800-514-0301
(voice)
800-514-0383 (TTY)
Drug
Enforcement Administration Contact (for regulatory and enforcement matters)
Patricia Good
Chief, Liaison and Policy Section
Office of Diversion Control
Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington, DC 20537
Telephone: 202-307-7297
Fax: 202-307-8570
Justice
Department contacts for Department wide matters (such as the Ombudsman's
Reports to Congress) and other issues of general agency concern:
Kevin R. Jones
Deputy Assistant Attorney General
Office of Legal Policy
Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 7238
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-4604
Fax: 202-514-9112
E-mail: Kevin.r.jones@usdoj.gov
Robert Hinchman
Senior Counsel
Office of Legal Policy
Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 7236
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-8059
Fax: 202-514-9112
E-mail: robert.hinchman@usdoj.gov
Justice
Department contact for general public affairs inquiries:
Mark Corallo
Director
Office of Public Affairs
Main Building, Room 1248
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-2007
Fax: 202-513-5331
E-mail: Mark.Corallo@usdoj.gov
Justice
Department contact for small and disadvantaged business utilization
Ramona Johnson-Glover, Acting Director
OSDBU
1331 Penn Ave. N.W.
National Place Bld., Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-616-0521
Fax: 202-616-1717
E-mail: Ramona.M.JohnsonGlover@USDOJ.gov
Justice
Department single point of contact for the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
Brenda Dyer
Policy and Planning Staff
Justice Management Division
Patrick Henry Building, Room 1600
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone 202-616-1167
Fax: 202-514-1590
E-mail: brenda.e.dyer@usdoj.gov
Top
LABOR
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recognizes its obligation to respond
to the ever-increasing complexities of employment laws and the difficulties
businesses face in understanding them. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
launched the Compliance Assistance Initiative to help America’s
employers and employees better understand how to comply with the federal
employment laws and regulations it administers. DOL believes compliance
assistance is the most effective way to protect the wages, health benefits,
retirement security, safety, and health of America’s workforce by
preventing employment law violations.
DOL has developed
the following tools and resources to ensure that employers and workers
have access to clear and accurate information and assistance – when
and where they need it, and in the format that suits them best.
Department
of Labor Web Site
The most widely used compliance assistance tool is the DOL Web site, which
features centralized compliance assistance information at www.dol.gov/compliance.
The public can use this site to access a wide range of information and
resources about DOL’s rules and regulations any time, day or night.
These Web pages are gateways to DOL agencies’ compliance assistance
information.
elaws
Advisors
The elaws Advisors (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers
and Small Businesses) are interactive e-tools that provide information
on DOL’s federal employment laws. Available at www.dol.gov/elaws,
each elaws Advisor mimics the interaction an individual
would have with a DOL employment law expert by generating answers based
on the user’s responses to a set of questions. The FirstStep
Employment Law Advisor – one of the newest elaws
Advisors – helps employers simply and quickly determine
which of DOL’s major employment laws apply to their business or
organization and provides easy-to-access information about how to comply
with each law’s requirements.
DOL’s
Toll-Free Help Line – 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365); (TTY: 1-877-889-5627)
DOL’s Toll-Free Help Line provides timely and accurate responses
to customer inquiries, and fulfills print and publication requests. The
Help Line offers live operator assistance in English and Spanish, with
additional service in more than 140 languages.
Employment
Law Guide
The Employment Law Guide, which describes DOL’s major statutes and
regulations in plain language, targets employers needing introductory
information to develop wage, benefit, safety and health, and nondiscrimination
policies for their businesses. It is available for free in print and online,
in both English and Spanish. A complimentary copy can be obtained by calling
1-866-4-USA-DOL or by visiting www.dol.gov/asp/programs/guide.htm.
E-Mail
Response Service
DOL’s coordinated e-mail response service allows employers and employees
to ask questions about employment and regulatory issues electronically.
By choosing from a list of topics or internal DOL agencies under the “Contact
Us” section of the DOL Web site (www.dol.gov),
users are ensured that their question will go to the appropriate office
and that they will receive an answer in a timely manner.
Compliance
Assistance Information Inventory
More than 300 publications are included in this comprehensive list of
DOL compliance assistance resources. This database of publications can
be accessed from www.dol.gov/compliance.
(To be available in May, 2004)
SBREFA
Toll-Free Help Line
Under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996,
small businesses may contact DOL’s Office of Small Business Programs
(OSBP) directly with their inquiries or complaints about regulatory fairness
by calling 1-888-9-SBREFA (1-888-972-7332).
Wage
and Hour Issues
The Employment Standards Administration, Wage & Hour Division (WHD)
enforces the minimum wage, overtime, and child labor provisions of the
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA),
the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), employment
standards and worker protections provided in several non-immigrant worker
programs of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the prevailing wage
requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), the Service Contract Act (SCA)
and related statutes.
WHD delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, interactive elaws
Advisors (FLSA, FMLA), toll free phone service, e-mail, printed materials,
workshops and presentations.
Federal
Contract Compliance
The Employment Standards Administration, Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs (OFCCP) administers three equal employment opportunity programs
that apply to federal contractors and subcontractors: Executive Order
11246, as amended; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;
and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974,
as amended, 38 U.S.C. 4212. These laws prohibit Federal contractors and
subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected
veteran status. These laws also require Federal contractors and subcontractors
to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunity. OFCCP
also shares responsibility with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) in enforcing Title I of the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
OFCCP delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, interactive elaws
Advisors, e-mail, toll-free telephone service, workshops and
seminars.
Retirement
and Health Benefits
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) assists employers
and employee benefit plan practitioners in understanding and complying
with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
as it applies to administering retirement and health benefit plans. EBSA
promotes voluntary compliance through its Voluntary Fiduciary Correction
Program and Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program and through
strategic alliances with professional organizations and federal, state
and local governments. EBSA provides compliance assistance through its
Web site, publications, interactive elaws Advisors, toll free telephone
service as well as responding to electronic inquiries, sponsoring seminars,
and actively conducting outreach nationwide.
Occupational
Safety and Health
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) works to save
lives, prevent injuries and protect the health and safety of America’s
workers. Nearly every worker in the U.S. comes under OSHA’s jurisdiction
as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (exceptions
include miners, transportation workers, many public employees, and the
self-employed).
OSHA delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, printed compliance guides,
toll-free telephone service, e-mail, and online electronic assistance
tools such as eTools and Safety and Health Topics pages. Free workplace
consultations are available in every state to small businesses that need
assistance in establishing safety and health programs and identifying
and correcting workplace hazards. A network of OSHA Compliance Assistance
Specialists in local offices provides tailored information and training
to employers and employees. OSHA has a number of cooperative programs
that help recognize and build on successful practices in occupational
safety and health, including the Alliance Program, Safety and Health Achievement
Recognition Program (SHARP), Strategic Partnership Program, and Voluntary
Protection Programs (VPP)
Mine
Safety and Health
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) works to protect the
health and safety of workers in America’s mines by working cooperatively
with industry, labor, and other federal and state agencies. MSHA’s
responsibilities are outlined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
of 1977, commonly called the Mine Act, which applies to all mining and
mineral processing operations in the U.S. regardless of size, number of
employees or method of extraction.
MSHA delivers
compliance assistance to mine operators and workers through its Web site
and by direct contact of agency enforcement, technical support, and education
and training field personnel. MSHA established its Small Mine Office to
address the safety and health needs of small mines specifically and to
enable small mines to comply with safety and health laws as readily as
medium- or large-sized mines. The Small Mine Office focuses exclusively
on compliance assistance and conducts no enforcement activities.
Veterans’
Employment and Training
The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) helps veterans,
Reservists and National Guard members effectively prepare for and secure
employment, and protects their employment rights. VETS provides employment
services and training assistance to eligible veterans, including homeless
veterans, through grants to states, local governments and non-profit organizations.
VETS also administers the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act (USERRA) and provides information about veterans’ rights
under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) and the Federal
Contractor Program, which requires federal contractors and subcontractors
to take affirmative action to hire and promote qualified veterans including
special disabled veterans.
VETS delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, printed materials, e-mail,
and interactive online elaws Advisors.
Labor-Management
Standards
The Employment Standards Administration, Office of Labor-Management Standards
(OLMS) administers and enforces most of the Labor-Management Reporting
and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) of 1959. OLMS also administers provisions of
the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and the Foreign Service Act of 1980
relating to standards of conduct for federal employee unions. OLMS also
administers employee protection provisions in the federal mass transit
law. OLMS now administers Executive Order 13201 in conjunction with the
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. EO 13201 requires Federal
contractors to post notices informing their employees of certain rights
related to union membership and payment of union dues or fees.
OLMS delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, publications, e-mail, workshops
and other group presentations. An OLMS Web site – www.union-reports.dol.gov
- lets users view and print union annual financial reports. It features
a powerful data search system that can produce lists tailored to users’
needs. OLMS recently expanded the site to let users view and print reports
by employers and labor relations consultants.
DOL
Contact under the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002
Under the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the Department
of Labor has established a single point of contact in the agency to act
as a liaison between the agency and small business concerns:
Department
of Labor Single Point of Contact:
Barbara Bingham, Director
Office of Compliance Assistance Policy
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Rm. S2312
Washington, DC 20210
Telephone: 202-693-5080
Top
STATE
The Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) webpage links
to a number of federal agencies: www.osdbu.gov.
- Publications:
A Guide to Doing Business with State Department. Forecast of Contract
Opportunities and others are available electronically on the webpage.
- Workshops:
State/OSDBU presents a number of workshops throughout the year as part
of its outreach efforts. These workshops include "in reach"
to our State Department customers and cover topics related to the Small
Business Program. State/OSDBU staff members are often invited to participate
on workshops or panels hosted by small business trade associations,
Chambers of Commerce or other groups representing the interests of small
business.
- Training
Sessions: We sponsor training sessions for State Department employees.
Examples: Small Business Program training module at Foreign Service
Institute's GSO Course. Participation in regional GSO Conferences hosted
by State's Office of Logistics Management. (e.g., New Delhi, India and
Gaborone, Botswana in 2002). Also participate in State Department events
designed for private industry such as Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operation's
Industry Day). State hosts an annual Prime Contractor training session.
The morning is a refresher for large primes on regulations and reporting
requirements governing subcontracting. The afternoon session is for
networking between large primes and "hot prospect" small businesses.
- Small
Business Fairs: State/OSDBU hosts an annual Small Business Fair, which
features "common usage" items typically purchased using the
government credit card or GSA schedule. In November 2002, we hosted
a Veteran-owned Small Business Conference. We are also co-hosts of quarterly
Information Technology Expositions, for which the Bureau of Information
Resource Management takes the lead. We co-sponsor with other federal
OSDBUs an annual conference each April, at Show Place Arena in Upper
Marlboro, Maryland. This year's event, held on April 23rd, attracted
over 1500 participants from all over the country. State/OSDBU also supports
Small Business Fairs hosted by other federal agencies, by small business
trade associations, or by members of Congress. During FY-2002 to date,
we have participated in over 30 such events.
State
Department Single Point of Contact:
Gregory K.O. Davis Telephone: 202-312-9607
Regulatory Coordinator Fax: 202-312-9603
A/RPS/DIR
1800 G Street, N.W., Suite 2400, SA-22
Washington, DC 20522-2201 Internet: http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/
http://foia.state.gov/famdir/fam/fam.asp
Top
TRANSPORTATION
Web-based
Compliance
Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization http://osdbuweb.dot.gov
Drug
and Alcohol Policy and Compliance
www.dot.gov/ost/dapc
Telephone
Small
Business Customer Service Center 1-800-532-1169
Office of
Drug Enforcement and Program Compliance (DEPC)
1-800-225-3784 (fax on demand service)
Seminars/Classes
Transportation Marketplace Conferences
http://osdbuweb.dot.gov
Breath Alcohol
Technician Training and Screening
Test Technician Training Manuals
Transportation Safety Institute
(405) 949-0036, x323
Marti Bludworth, DTI-100
4400 Will Rogers Parkway, Suite 205
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Online/e-mail
Service News By Email
http://osdbuweb.dot.gov
Central
Docket Management System
http://dms.dot.gov
Office of
Aviation Analysis
http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/aviation/index.html
Drug and
Alcohol Policy and Compliance Program Guidance Material
www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/prog_guidance.html
Online purchases
and payments
www.Diy.dot.gov
Publications
The Transportation Link Newsletter; Marketing Information Package
Fax on Demand Catalog
http://osdbuweb.dot.gov 1-800-532-1169
Federal
Highway Administration
Web-based Compliance www.fhwa.dot.gov
Publications
Citizens Guide to Transportation Decision-making;
National Dialogue on Operations;
An Overview of Transportation and Environmental Justice;
Transportation Conformity, A Basic Guide for State and Local Officials,
Revised 2000;
A Guide to Metropolitan Planning Under ISTEA, How the Pieces Fit Together;
Federal Size Regulations for Commercial Motor Vehicles;
and Bridge Formula Weights (all the above are available at the website)
Federal
Aviation Administration
Web-based Compliance www.faa.gov/avr/arm/sbrefa.htm
Email Service 9-AWA-SBREFA@faa.gov
Telephone
Service 1-888-551-1594
1-800-255-1111 (Safety Hotline)
On-site Assistance
Charlene Brown
800 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 808
Washington, DC 20591
Bureau
of Transportation Statistics
Web-based Compliance www.bts.gov/mcs/desc.html;
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/dashome.htm
(See Table of Contents Financial and Operating Statistics); and http://www.bts.gov/oai/sources
(Office of Airline Information)
Email Service
answers@bts.gov
Telephone
Service 1-800-853-1351 (General Information)
1-202-366-4888 (public data from air carrier reports)
Publications
Worksheet for Calculating Carrier Classification (Motor Carriers of Passengers);
Worksheet for Calculating Carrier Classification (Motor Carriers of Property);
Information Sheet for Form QFR and many others available through the website
On-site Assistance
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
400 7th Street, SW, Room 3103
Washington, DC
L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail Station (7th and D Street exit)
Reports
Reference Facility (public data from air carrier reports)
400 7th Street, SW, Room 4201, Washington, DC
Federal
Railroad Administration
Web-based Compliance www.fra.dot.gov
Telephone Service 202-493-6395 (Office of Policy & Program Development)
Federal
Transit Administration
Web-based Compliance www.fta.dot.gov
Telephone Service 1-800-527-8279 (National Transit Resource Center)
Publications www.fta.dot.gov/library
Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration
Web-based Compliance www.fmcsa.dot.gov
and www.1-888-dot-saft.com
Telephone
Service
1-800-832-5660 (Information Line)
1-800-368-7328 (Consumer complaint hotline)
202-366-9805 (Licensing Information)
202-385-2423 (Insurance Information)
National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Web-based compliance www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Telephone
Service
1-800-DASH-2-DOT (1-800-327-4236)
Publications
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/media/catalog/Index.cfm
(Online publications library)
Maritime
Administration
Web-based Compliance www.marad.dot.gov
Telephone
Service
202-366-4610 (Cargo Preference Program)
202-366-8888 (Intermodal Development)
202-366-8887 (Environmental Activities)
202-366-1931 (Maritech Program)
202-366-5744 (Maritime Loan Guarantee)
202-366-1931 (National Maritime Resource and Education Center)
202-366-4610 (Ocean Freight Differential)
202-366-2324 (Operating Differential Subsidy)
202-366-2625 (Ship Operation Cooperative Program)
202-366-2400 (War Risk Insurance Program)
202-366-5821 (Vessel Transfer Program)
Publications
www.marad.dot.gov/publications
(online library)
Research
and Special Programs Administration
Web-based Compliance www.rspa.dot.gov;
http://hazmat.dot.gov; and
http://ops.dot.gov
Telephone
Service
202-366-4595 (Office of Pipeline Safety)
1-800-HMR-4922 or 202-366-4488 (Hazardous Materials
Information Center)
202-366-4900 (Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives
and Training)
202-366-4484 (Hazardous Materials Incident Reports)
Fax Service
1-800-467-4922 (Hazardous Materials fax on demand)
202-366-4566 (Office of Pipeline Safety fax)
Email Service
Grants@rspa.dot.gov
Infocntr@rspa.dot.gov
Register@rspa.dot.gov
Training@rspa.dot.gov
Welisten@rspa.dot.gov
Seminars/Classes
Transportation Safety Institute (Compliance Inspection Comprehensive Operator
Qualification, OPS); Risk Management Conference/Public Meeting Proceedings
(Hazmat and OPS) www.tsi.dot.gov
Publications
Pipeline Risk Management Newsletter
Oil Pollution Act Newsletter
Hazmat Safety Alerts
Department
of Transportation Single Point of Contact:
Steven B. Lott
Manager, Strategic Integration
IT Program Management
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
Telephone: 202-366-1314
Fax: 202-366-7373
http://cio.ost.dot.gov/contact/index.html
Top
TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
TTB
was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and is the newest agency
in the Department of the Treasury. When the Act divided the functions
of the former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms into two new organizations
with separate responsibilities, TTB became tasked with enforcing and administering
the laws governing the production and distribution of alcohol and tobacco
products. TTB is responsible for:
- Collecting
over $14 billion annually in Federal alcohol, tobacco, firearms and
ammunition excise taxes
- Collecting
occupational taxes on producers, wholesalers, and retailers of alcohol
beverage products and producers of tobacco products, cigarette papers
and tubes, and export warehouse proprietors
- Ensuring
that beverage alcohol products are labeled, advertised, and marketed
in accordance with law and regulations
- Administering
the laws and regulations in a manner that protects the revenue, protects
the consumer, promotes voluntary compliance, and facilitates the production
of, and import and export trade in, beverage and industrial alcohols
and tobacco products.
One of TTB’s
top priorities is to establish and maintain a close working relationship
with the industries it regulates. To accomplish this, TTB utilizes a variety
of methods to assist members of the regulated industries, including small
business entities and the general public, in complying with the laws and
regulations TTB enforces.
Website.
TTB utilizes the Internet as its main vehicle for communicating with regulated
industry members and the general public. TTB’s website, located
at www.ttb.gov, contains:
- Answers
to frequently asked questions specific to each regulated commodity and
industry regarding TTB laws, regulations, and services
- On-line
access to required forms and documents and instructions for electronic
submission
- COLAs
Online, which enables the submission and processing of Certificates
of Label Approval (COLAs) via the Internet. All beverage alcohol products
are required to obtain a COLA prior to introduction in interstate commerce.
- Contact
information listing TTB offices and other Federal and state agencies
- An electronic
reading room, which allows users to view Federal Register publications
and other TTB documents such as directives and industry circulars, and
public comments submitted in response to Notices of Proposed Rulemaking
- Tax rates
and statistics pertaining to TTB’s regulated commodities
- An electronic
listing of approved viticultural areas designated by Code of Federal
Regulation Section, location, and effective date
Regulated
industry DVD. TTB is developing an informational DVD that will
serve as an electronic library for new and existing industry members to
access industry-specific information and resources. This DVD will be available
for distribution in September 2004.
Attendance
at seminars and events. TTB routinely sends representatives to
seminars and events to answer questions from members of the regulated
industries, with an emphasis on establishing personal relationships with
small business entities.
Customer
service and support. TTB provides one-on-one expert technical
advice on matters affecting the alcohol and tobacco industries through
e-mail, telephone, and letterhead responses to inquiries from individuals
and businesses. In addition, TTB utilizes customer service hotlines to
answer questions from industry members, other governmental agencies, and
the general public on any TTB topic. TTB’s National Revenue Center,
located in Cincinnati, Ohio, responds to approximately 80,000 telephone
calls per year alone.
Plain
language. As part of TTB’s overall effort to reduce taxpayer
burden and maintain good public relations, and facilitate compliance,
TTB is in the process of revising all of its forms and regulations in
plain language. Plain language uses the active voice, shorter sentences,
and common, everyday words when possible to better communicate with the
public.
Publications.
TTB provides guidance on statutory and regulatory requirements to industry
members and small business through various published documents. Examples
include industry circulars, rulings, and procedures.
Taxpayer
notifications. TTB maintains an automated late return reporting
system that notifies taxpayers of a late-filed return or insufficient
payment. This helps taxpayers avoid accumulated penalties and interest.
In addition, TTB sends out yearly notices to known special occupational
taxpayers to remind them of their responsibility to file a return and
pay the tax. These taxpayer notifications are especially beneficial to
small businesses that have limited resources to devote to government compliance
monitoring.
Variances
and alternate methods or procedures. TTB entertains requests
from regulated industry members, which include small entities, for variances
from existing regulatory requirements. These variances, which often take
the form of alternate methods or procedures, are intended to provide flexibility
to industry members in their business operations. These requests are normally
granted when the proposed variance shows good cause, would not be contrary
to law, and would not pose a threat to the revenue.
Voluntary
disclosure program. TTB is considering the adoption of a voluntary
disclosure program and has posted an outline of the program on the TTB
website for public comment. The voluntary disclosure program would provide
regulated industry members with an opportunity for reduced or avoided
penalties when they voluntarily advise TTB of their noncompliance.
Alcohol
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau single point of contact:
William H. Foster
Chief, Regulations and Procedures Division
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
1310 G Street, NW – Room 200 East
Washington, DC 20220
Telephone: 202-927-8210
E-mail: William.Foster@ttb.gov
Office
of Small Business Development
http://www.treas.gov/sba
Our Office of Small Business Development has a robust small business program
to ensure both small business prime and subcontracting opportunities.
The following examples, initiatives, and partnerships demonstrate Treasury’s
commitment:
Outreach
Efforts
- Maintain
a vigorous small business procurement web site (http://www.treas.gov/sba).
- Treasury’s
annual forecast of contract opportunities and small business subcontracting
opportunities directory are posted on the small business website, and
we make hard copies available upon request and at all of the small business
outreach events we attend.
- Our highly
successful Treasury Monthly Vendor Outreach Session program allows small
businesses to meet with Treasury bureau small business specialists.
We also include special guests representing other federal agencies or
prime contractors to discuss procurement opportunities on a pre-arranged
15-minute basis in one central location. Our schedule is published a
year in advance to allow small business to plan their marketing efforts.
- Treasury’s
outreach efforts also include two Treasury IT Program Manager Vendor
Outreach Session events each year (this event is modeled after our Monthly
Vendor Outreach Session).
- In Treasury’s
capacity as Chair of the OSDBU Directors Interagency Council outreach
committee, we have taken the lead on the government-wide Annual OSDBU
Directors Procurement Conference held in April of each year. This event
is also posted on our web site.
- We have
also focused our efforts in targeted outreach on a nationwide basis,
such as trade fair participation, seminar presentations, panel program
discussions on specific topics, and one-on-one counseling.
- The OSBD
has built a solid relationship with a variety of small business trade
associations. On April 12, 2000, Treasury entered into an historic Memorandum
of Understanding with 17 small, minority, and women-owned small business
trade associations to increase the ability of small minority and women-owned
small businesses to compete for Treasury procurements in industries
reflecting under-representation while maintaining participation in industries
with successful utilization.
- A list
of the Top 25 Treasury purchases is published, listed by industry classification
over a five year period to provide an opportunity for “targeted
outreach”.
- Treasury
implemented a mentor-protégé pilot program. We are the
only agency in which protégés may be small businesses
of all types - SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZSB, SDVOSB, and VOSB.
Internal
Revenue Service
- Compliance
Assistance Resources (Paperwork Relief Act Report)
The IRS
Compliance Assistance Resources are those that help taxpayers comply
with the Federal tax law. We are making every effort to inform, assist
and educate taxpayers. See attachment 1 for examples
of IRS Compliance Assistance Resources.
- Points
of Contact for IRS
Single point of contact for Compliance Assistance Resources
IRS Website:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.html
Single
point of contact for Paperwork Relief Act of 2002
Michael
Chesman
Director Office of Taxpayer Burden Reduction
E-mail: Michael.R.Chesman@irs.gov
Phone: 202-283-7673
- Compliance
Assistance Program Description
- The
Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) operating division is structured
to best serve taxpayers whose needs are more complex than wage and
investment taxpayers. This division serves about 40 million small
businesses, including 33 million self-employed and 7 million corporations
and partnerships with assets of $10 million or less. While many
face the same tax issues as large corporations, they often do not
have tax professionals on staff. Tax compliance issues often stem
from a lack of understanding of tax law requirements, inadequate
accounting practices and resources and cash flow problems.
The
approximately 33 million self-employed and supplemental income earners
are similar to wage and investment taxpayers, but their tax issues
are often more complex. They have substantially higher incomes and
file twice the number of forms and schedules, requiring more time
to prepare taxes, a greater reliance on paid tax preparers and more
IRS expertise.
-
Headquarters
Taxpayer
Education and Communication’s (TEC) mission is to support
and accomplish the goals of the Strategic Plan. We increase
filing, reporting, and paying compliance by providing small
business and self-employed individuals with top quality pre-filing
services. TEC’s activities align with compliance goals
and approaches set by other parts of the organization.
The
field and headquarters staffs support compliance-focused pre-filing
activities through direct dealings with small businesses and
self-employed individuals and through third party relationships
with key internal and external stakeholders. TEC works to develop
and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders. The relationships
are leveraged to assist in the delivery of targeted messages
to specific audiences on specific compliance issues resulting
in communications that reach a much larger taxpayer population.
TEC focuses on burden reduction initiatives and promotes electronic
filing and payment options to SB/SE taxpayers. The services
TEC provides assist in promoting compliance among small businesses
and self-employed taxpayers through non-enforcement methods
and help taxpayers understand their tax obligations in a manner
that leads to voluntary compliance.
-
Partnership Outreach designs, develops and delivers educational
products and services focused on customer needs, and leverage
partnerships with major stakeholders through negotiated agreements
to assist in the delivery of these products and services. The
primary focus is on proactively identifying emerging trends, common
errors, and common areas of non-compliance, and developing products,
services and programs to address these issues and encourage compliance.
-
Business Marketing Services plans and execute the promotion and
distribution of all traditional SB/SE products and services to
TEC employees, key stakeholders, and targeted taxpayer audiences
in order to satisfy external customer needs and internal organizational
objectives. Business Marketing Services is also focused on developing
strategies for increasing usage of electronic products and implementing
them effectively for not only the small business community but
also the more uniquely emerging self-employed taxpayer segment.
- The
Office of Taxpayer Burden Reduction provides direction and leadership
for burden reduction efforts by focusing on six major areas:
- Informing
and educating customers about their tax responsibilities.
-
Simplifying forms, publications and communications.
-
Streamlining internal policies, processes and procedures (including
audit plans).
-
Promoting less burdensome rulings, regulations and law.
-
Assisting in the development of a burden reduction measurement
methodology;
-
Partnering with internal and external stakeholders to more
effectively and efficiently identify and address burden reduction
initiatives
- Field
Organization
A
geographically dispersed field staff provides top quality compliance
focused pre-filing service to small business and self-employed
individuals directly and through third party relationships with
key internal and external stakeholders. These services assist
small business and self-employed taxpayers by helping them to
understand their tax obligations in a manner which leads to filing,
payment, and reporting compliance.
IRS
Area Distribution Centers (ADCs) serve as distribution points
for tax products. Tax products can be ordered free of charge from
the ADCs at 1-800-829-2437.
-
IRS provides live telephone assistance through Customer Account Service.
- Tax
Assistance – 1-800-829-1040
- Forms,
Form Instructions and Publications - 1-800-829-3676
- Small
Business and Specialty Taxes – 1-800-829-4933
- Compliance
Assistance Products – 1-800-829-2765
- Tax
Refund Hotline – 1-800-829-1954
- Recorded
Tax Information (Tele-Tax) 24 hour service – 1-800-829-4477
- Assistance
for the Hearing Impaired – 1-800-829-4059
- To
suggest improvements to IRS Procedures – 1-888-912-1227
- Taxpayer
Advocate Service Hotline – 1-877-777-4778
- Taxpayers
who need more information than is provided by Customer Account Service
may go to the Help website at http://www.irs.gov/help/index.html.
- Finding
addresses to file Internal Revenue Service tax forms has just become
easier for taxpayers and tax practitioners. On August 22, 2003, the
IRS launched a “Where to File” website on the
Internet. With only a few keystrokes, taxpayers and practitioners
now have access to the proper mailing address to ensure that business
returns are received and processed in a timely manner. See the Where
to File – Business Forms and Filing Addresses at http://www.irs.gov/file/article/0,,id=111453,00.html
- Websites/Internet
- http://www.irs.gov
– IRS Website
- http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz
– IRS Small Business Website
- http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz
– The SB/SE Internet site has had 12,200,283 visits from
January 2002 to February 2004
-
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/index.html
- News
- http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/content/0,,id=103728,00.html
-Plain Language Regulations
- Tax
Centers on Partners’ Website – IRS has developed a
number of partnerships by establishing a Tax Center website on
the partner’s sites. Tax Centers have a comprehensive set
of links customized to the partners needs and organized by topic
to various parts of irs.gov. For example see:
Tax Center Website - http://www.sba.gov/bi/irstaxcenter.doc
- Training/Workshops/Seminars
-
Practitioner Institutes
Practitioner
Institutes serve as part of an overall practitioner education
curriculum, which includes Tax Talk Today, the Nationwide Tax
Forum, local liaison meetings, etc. They provide a much-needed
venue for delivering the IRS message to approximately 25,000 direct
participants, which prepare countless tax returns for the public
each year. The Tax Practitioner Institutes have been ongoing for
as many as 60 years in some parts of the country. Over the years
the institutes have evolved into forums that deal with a large
variety of income tax issues of interest to the entire tax practitioner
community.
- Small
Business Tax Workshop Student/Instructor Materials
IRS
has adopted three models for small business tax workshops our
partners can offer as a client service to help the smallest and
newest businesses:
-
Partner organizations organize, market and staff live workshops
using IRS materials or their own. IRS just released Spanish
language versions of the Student Workbook and the Instructor
Guide.
-
Partnership organizations link to IRS’ on-line small
business workshop products and market them to their members.
An online Spanish language version of the classroom materials
is nearly complete.
-
Partner organizations distribute Pub. 3700, A Virtual Small
Business workshop CD-ROM (September 2003) and Pub. 3693, Introduction
to Federal Taxes for Small Business-Self Employed: Getting
Your Business Off to a Successful Start CD-ROM (Sept 2001)
to their members and/or let them know how to order it. Pub.
3700 has Spanish and Mandarin closed captions.
- Online
Small Business Tax Workshops
IRS has an interactive online Small Business Tax Workshop that
includes all of the materials used in the classroom workshops
taught by IRS partner organizations. There are also streaming
video workshops in the Online Classroom at http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz.
- Tax
Talk Today
Tax
Talk Today is a monthly program about current tax issues and policies
sponsored in part by the IRS. It provides unbiased insight and
information about current tax and business issues critical to
tax professionals. All of the programs feature a panel discussion,
Questions and Answers from viewers, current tax news stories,
and tax teasers. The format allows viewers to ask questions via
e-mail, fax or telephone. Website: http://www.taxtalktoday.tv/
-
Interactive Video Conference Television (IVT)
IRS produces and directs live Interactive Video Television (IVT)
instructional and informational training via IRS Satellite that
reaches 135 IRS offices nationwide. IRS welcomes external stakeholder
participation in IVTs. Last June representatives from the US Chamber
of Commerce and Government Affairs for the National Association
of Convenience Stores participated in the “What’s
In It For Me” IVT.
- Products
Developed Specifically for Small Business
The role
of the SB/SE TEC division is to address compliance through education
and marketing to our Small Business and
Self-Employed taxpayers. We develop educational products and services
focused on customer needs to provide top quality pre-filing services
to help taxpayers and stakeholders understand and comply with the
tax laws. Products can be ordered online or by calling 1-800-829-3676.
Website: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=101169,00.html
- CD-ROMs
– See Attachment 2
-
Brochures – See Attachment 2
- Forums
- Payroll/Practitioner
Forums
The
Payroll/Practitioner Forums are an extension of the
bi-monthly National Public Liaison (NPL) meetings. The Forums
provide an opportunity for the subject matter experts (SMEs) and
payroll/practitioner representatives to “work through”
the issues raised from suggested topics on the agenda.
- Small
Business Forums
Small Business Forums are held with external small business groups
and associations. The primary focus of these meetings is to provide
an avenue for an open exchange of information with external stakeholders.
The forums also give them an opportunity to share feedback concerns
on behalf of their small business members. Monthly schedule: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=106266,00.html
-
IRS Nationwide Tax Forums
One
of the Service's largest and most effective outreach programs
to the tax professional community is the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums.
During July, August, and September, the IRS will present six tax
forums nationwide, which will include seminars, a trade show,
and an awards banquet. These forums are designed to help tax professionals
obtain valuable information to improve their business.
Website: http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=97192,00.html
- Tax
Assistance Centers are your one-stop resource for face-to-face tax
help. These sites provide assistance in the preparation of returns
as well as resolution of less complex accounts and compliance issues
for taxpayers that require face-to-face assistance. The site location
and hours of operation are available at Website: http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html.
IRS
also offers free income tax assistance for low income, disabled, elderly
and non-English speaking taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance program (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly program
(TCE). A free tax preparation site can be located by calling Customer
Account Services at 1-800-829-1040.
- Non-retaliation
Policy
The
IRS has a zero tolerance policy for retaliation and has had a written
non-retaliation policy in place since 1998. On July 22, 1999, President
Clinton signed into law the landmark “IRS Restructuring and
Reform Act (RRA) of 1998.” The IRS has taken a number of steps
to prevent retaliation and has put policies in place to deal with
it effectively, should it occur. Section 1203 of RRA’98 provides
for the mandatory termination of IRS employees under various specific
instances of misconduct and provides a number of key taxpayer safeguards.
This serves as a strong deterrent to any employee who might consider
taking retaliatory action.
Website: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
- TAS
– Overall and Systemic Advocacy
Taxpayer
Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization that helps taxpayers
resolve problems with the IRS and recommend changes that will prevent
tax problems.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service Office of Systemic Advocacy provides
oversight and direction for identifying, and analyzing systemic, procedural
and operations problems. This office announced on March 13, 2003 the
development of a new internet-based program for submitting systemic
problems and suggestions to improve tax administration. On November
24, 2003, TAS launched a new web-based application, part of the Systemic
Advocacy Management System (SAMS), to streamline the process of submitting
issues that affect multiple taxpayers.
Office of Systemic Advocacy Website: http://www.irs.gov/advocate/index.html
Web-Based
Application
http://www.irs.gov/advocate/article/0,,id=117703,00.html
-
Fiscal
2004 Compliance Assistance Resources
EFTPS Express Enrollment Website - Offers some taxpayers new,
quicker access to an electronic payment system. The EFTPS Express Enrollment
website can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=120110,00.html
Penalty Rebate for Enrolling in EFTPS Website – Allows
paper coupon users who were assessed a Form 941 deposit penalty the
opportunity to receive a one-time penalty refund. The Penalty Rebate
for Enrolling in EFTPS website can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=120305,00.html
Reporting Agents (RAF) Website – Assists employers in
making required tax deposits and tax information filings to the federal
government and to state and local governments. The Reporting Agents
(RAF) website can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=108689,00.html
Bartering Website - Bartering occurs when goods or services
are
exchanged without exchanging money. Bartering revenue was
estimated at 7.78 billion in 2001. The Internet has provided a medium
for new growth in the bartering exchange industry. There were only
$682 million dollars reported to the Service on Form 1099B’s for
2001.
IRS has:
- Mailed
notices to over 600 bartering exchanges nationwide
- Established
partnerships with the International Reciprocal Trade Associations
to develop outreach efforts to inform their members of filing requirements
- Updated
websites to include information on filing requirements for bartering
exchanges
Information
Reporting Requirements for Bartering Exchange can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=118385,00.html
Demand Reduction - The Demand Reduction Program seeks to
lower the number of calls generated during the filing season by identifying
high volume topics through the analysis of frequently asked questions
and current emerging issues. In this pilot, IRS is testing whether
targeted outreach/educational products and outreach initiatives focused
on high-volume, topic-specific issues will reduce the number of calls
generated in these areas. To date, the demand reduction program has
identified 13 topics as being of sufficient national impact to generate
headliner articles. In addition, this program has also generated a
reference guide identifying the specific types and filing requirements
for the various corporate returns and related schedules. This guide
is slated for both “internal use”, by our assistors and
“external use” by practitioners to reduce the number of
“What form do I use?” questions in the “Partnership
and Corporation” category.
Issue Resolution Tracking System (IRTS) – The IRS is
proactive in responding to stakeholder concerns through the use of
the Issue Resolution Tracking System. This web-based data base assists
IRS in monitoring the resolution of issues identified by stakeholders
such as small businesses, trade associations, government agencies
and government institutions, and payroll and practitioner groups.
In addition to responding to issues we will be able to detect stakeholder
identified issues and track trends both locally and nationally.
Global Diversity Group (GDG) – Global Diversity Group
(GDG) is a consulting firm that provides access to much needed information
designed to assist minority entrepreneurs and women business owners
with the growth of their companies. A GDG Business Exchange “Tour
for Success” annual event is held in various locations throughout
the country and provides exhibitors, workshops and interaction between
corporations, professionals, entrepreneurs, educators as well as government
organizations. IRS established a partnership with GDG that focuses
on IRS’ interaction with the small business community. IRS participated
in GDG Business Exchange 2003 “Tour for Success” that
covered 10 cities and over 4000 participants. GDG is currently preparing
to launch their revised website that will include a comprehensive
“Tax Center” linking visitors to important small business
information on the IRS Website.
Standard Mileage Rate Expanded – The IRS made changes
to allow the standard mileage rate for up to four vehicles being used
at the same time for business purposes. Previously, businesses using
more than one vehicle could not use the standard mileage rate, leaving
them to track the actual expenses for each vehicle.
Over 800,000 more businesses are eligible to use the standard mileage,
saving 8-10 hours a year per taxpayer in recordkeeping burden.
Standard Meal Allowance for Day Care Providers – Family
day care providers may now chose to use a standardized rate to claim
the deduction for meals provided to children in their care. Previously,
they had to keep detailed records and receipts for food purchased
for use in their businesses. The change will reduce recordkeeping
burden by over 10 million hours annually.
New
Filing Requirements for Schedule B, Interest and Ordinary Dividends
– Most taxpayers no longer have to file a Schedule B if they
have interest or dividend income of less than $1,500. This increase,
from the previous reporting threshold of $400, means more than 40
million taxpayers have one less schedule to file with their tax return.
-
New in FY 2004
Small Business Products
- Publication
4143 and Publication 4143A, Learning the Art of Doing Business,
a curriculum for cosmetology students and instructor guide, teaches
the federal tax responsibilities specific to cosmetology
- Publication
4161, The Art of Doing Business, Brochure
- Publication
4297, Industry Issue Resolution Program, Brochure, covers what types
of issues are appropriate for the program how to submit an issue
to the IRS
- Publication
4261, Do You Have a Foreign Bank Account? addresses tax compliance
for those taxpayers who have a foreign bank account.
Small
Business Products Printed in Spanish
- Publication
1518, IRS Tax Calendar
- Publication
3995, Recognizing Illegal Tax Schemes
- Publication
4035, Home Based Business Tax Avoidance Schemes,
- Publications
1066 and 1066B, Small Business Tax Workshop: Student Workbook and
Supplemental Guide
- Publication
3992, Consumer Tax Video, Reporting Tip Income on TRAC.
- Summary
IRS assists the small business community by providing small business
and self-employed individuals with top quality services. The services
IRS provides assist in promoting compliance among small businesses and
self-employed taxpayers through non-enforcement methods and help taxpayers
understand their tax obligations in a manner that leads to voluntary
compliance.
IRS
maintains a “customer first” focus through routinely soliciting
information concerning the needs and characteristics of its small business
customers and implementing programs based on the information received.
Additionally,
IRS partners with other federal agencies, financial institutions, tax
preparers, community groups, trade associations, state and local authorities
and others to provide tax information and education services to small
business customers.
Treasury
Single Point of Contact:
Jackie
Barber, Acting Director
Office of Small Business Development
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Mail Code: 1450 G St
Washington, DC 20220
Telephone: 202-622-8213
Fax: 202-622-4963
E-mail: jackie.barber@do.treas.gov
Top
VETERANS
AFFAIRS
Consistent with SBREFA, compliance assistance is funneled through the
two websites above to register complaints or ask for assistance. Most
other VA offices will ensure that appropriate certifications are published
in VA regulations that they do not affect small business entities. Small
businesses can comment on VA regulations during the informal rulemaking
process, after they are published as proposed rules in the Federal Register.
Veterans
Affairs Single Point of Contact:
Ramsey Alexander, Jr.
Senior Procurement Analyst
OSDBU (00SB)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20420
Telephone: 202-565-8133
Toll Free: 800-949-8156
E-mail: ramsey.alexander@mail.va.gov
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